For those of us who wrote or called about the bills for increased funding for the Arts Council, here is a nice thank you from its chair:


 
Though this chapter has not yet been written, and the governor will have the final word, we are hopeful that your work, passion, vision, and your confidence in us will not go unrewarded.
 
To all of you, we at the Council want you to know we are your biggest fans and are honored to serve you.
 
With love and appreciation,

Wylie Aitken
Chair, California Arts Council

Nan Washburn, Michigan Philharmonic (2nd Place, Group 7/8 Orchestras)

A complete list of winners and their respective programs can be found here.

Did you know that we still have three ACSO/NEA Scholarships available to give to a staff or board member from our member organizations and twelve Scholarships for our Individual Members? That's a $215 value each! All you have to do is fill out the form and send it to us. These forms should be received before you register, so send them in now to ensure you get one!

 

We are also pleased to have fifteen $100 ACSO/NEA Travel Stipends available to help the Scholarship recipients attend. If the Scholarship recipient lives more than 100 miles from Rohnert Park, just indicate on the form if you'd like to receive one and it's yours!

 

To be fair to all ACSO members, we restrict the ACSO/NEA Scholarships and Travel Stipends to one per organization. We also ask that staff, board members, and Individual Members who have received one in the past do not apply again.

 

Tiffany Bayly is the new operations manager of the Oakland East Bay Symphony. Ms. Bayly previously worked with the San Francisco Symphony's Youth Orchestra as a member, librarian, and administrative assistant.

Henrik Jul Hansen, conductor of the Merced Symphony since 1999, will be taking a "lengthy leave of absence" from the Symphony. The board of directors will begin a search for his replacement immediately.

John Mangum, current director of artistic planning at the San Francisco Symphony, has been named the new president and artistic director of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, effective July 1. Mr. Mangum has previously held positions at the New York Philharmonic, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Dr. Carlotta Mellon has been appointed president of the Carmel Bach Festival, beginning a two-year term on October 1, 2014. Dr. Mellon held the same position 1985-87 and was previously executive director of Youth Orchestra of Salinas and the San Bernardino Symphony.