Noteworthy Cause

Friday, Sept. 21, 2001 | 8:45 a.m.

Members of the board of directors of the Las Vegas Philharmonic were in perfect harmony last week when they decided to donate ticket sales from the orchestra's first concert of the season to recovery efforts in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

"All contributions from people who will attend will go to where it is needed," Richard Plaster, vice president of the Philharmonic's board, said.

Plaster, president of Signature Homes, is helping to underwrite the benefit concert. The business executive was one of more than 40 people who stood together, framed by an enormous American flag, on the stage of the Rio's Samba Theatre during a press conference last Friday announcing the board's decision the previous night to make the heartfelt donation.

The Philharmonic's third season begins with "Pops at the Rio," featuring Bravo Broadway tonight and Saturday at the 1,500-seat Samba Theatre. In the months ahead the orchestra will perform 10 concerts and special events.

Bill Marion, the orchestra's director of development, said the "Pops" concert at the Rio was planned months ago.

"The theme was to honor Broadway and to honor New York City," Marion said. "The board of directors met ... and in light of the tragic events that have happened ... in New York City and Washington, D.C., (it) felt it would be most appropriate if we were to take this program and turn it into a benefit where the proceeds would go to help the families, the victims and the rescue effort.

"It's meant to show that Las Vegas is a caring city, a compassionate city."

Sheriff Jerry Keller noted during the press conference that "while everyone else was going down the stairs (at the World Trade Center), police and firefighters were going up the stairs."

"(This benefit concert) is a way, for those who have no other way, to express their appreciation," Keller said.

Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said the concert would be a healing experience.

"Music is a way of bringing healing and fullness back into the community," she said. "It is our little way to be a part of the solution, a part of the healing, not only in our community but in our nation."

Harold Weller, the Philharmonic's conductor and co-founder, said the "Pops" concert the first ever of its type performed by the orchestra was planned for happier days, and as a result, a few minor changes will be made in the program.

"It will not substantially change, in that it features the works of American artists both in cinema and on Broadway," Weller said. "But we will add some patriotic music, such as the 'Star Spangled Banner' and 'God Bless America.'"

The "Pops" concert will feature guest soloists Jan Horvath, Michael Maguire and Doug LaBrecque.

Horvath was a member of the original Broadway production of "Phantom of the Opera." Maguire appeared in "Les Miserables." LaBrecque was the Phantom in the Harold Prince production of the "Phantom of the Opera."

A season of content

Weller said he doesn't believe the tragedies in New York and Washington will have a major impact on the Philharmonic's season. Its next performance will be Oct. 6 at University of Nevada, Las Vegas's Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall.

"All indications are attendance will be up," Weller said. "We have sold more season tickets than ever before -- we are 60 percent full just with season ticket holders."

Weller has been coming to Las Vegas since 1994, when he first began guest conducting the musical portion of Nevada Ballet Theater's (then the Nevada Dance Theater) annual "Nutcracker" each December. He was director of the Flagstaff (Ariz.) Symphony Orchestra at the time, a position he'd held since 1982.

"It was a small community, only about 55,000, but it had a good orchestra. We had reached the highest per capita of support of any orchestra in the United States. People loved their orchestra," Weller said.

Weller said he saw Las Vegas as a challenge.

"I was fascinated. I wondered whether some of the things we did in Flagstaff, on a small basis, would work in a big city," Weller said.

In 1997 he met Andrew and Susan Tompkins, former owners of the Lady Luck and longtime supporters of local culture. He pitched to them the idea of starting the Philharmonic and they supported him.

"I resigned my position in Flagstaff and took a one-year appointment on the UNLV faculty as visiting professor to spend a year here to see more closely what was happening," he said.

In 1998 the Nevada Symphony Orchestra cancelled a Fourth of July concert two weeks before the event. In 10 days Weller was able to pull together an 80-piece orchestra, with the help of the Tompkins, to replace the NSO event.

In the spring of 1999 the Philharmonic put on its first major concert, the Mahler Festival.

In November 1999 the NSO went out of business. Out of the ashes rose the Philharmonic.

"When we incorporated there was an orchestra already in existence, but it wasn't giving concerts," Weller said. "The Mahler Festival was very symbolic of what we hoped would be a renewal of cultural activity in the community.

"The gigantic Mahler Symphony No. 2 is called the Resurrection Symphony. It required a 101-piece orchestra and a 160-voice chorus. We put it all together and had a terrific audience response."

The Philharmonic performed four classic concerts the first year.

"We have never cancelled a concert," Weller said. "We've never even cancelled a rehearsal."

Weller said the organization, which has an annual budget of $1.1 million, has been in the black from the beginning, thanks to grants, donations and high attendance.

"We've established some credibility and we've established a presence," Weller said. "We do what we say we are going to do. We provide a rallying point for the community."

Two-part harmony

Contract negotiations currently underway between the musicians union and the Philharmonic have gone relatively smoothly, with both sides eager to reach an amicable agreement -- although it may be one or two more weeks before the next contract is signed.

The major issue in the discussions has been tenure, which is an indication that musicians have faith that the Philharmonic will be around for a long time.

Frank Leone, president of Musicians Union of Las Vegas No. 369, says the Philharmonic is a "whole new ball game.

"It's a very viable organization. It seems that Las Vegas is ready for this. It's an organization that, while in it's infancy from the standpoint of time, shows great promise."