PHILHARMONIC:

Board chief of strapped orchestra quits in anger

Three colleagues follow, including spouse; executive director fired

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 | 2 a.m.

LAS VEGAS SUN FILE

Barbara and Bruce Woollen, married former board members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, at an event for the Las Vegas Sun Camp Fund on Sept. 23, 2004.

Barbara Lee Woollen's resignation letter

Steve Marcus

Jeri Crawford, seated in her home in 2006, will serve as the Philharmonic's presiding officer for now. She's a longtime board member and a staunch supporter of the musical arts in the Las Vegas Valley.

At times stormy, scene continues to evolve (12-31-08)
In parting shot, orchestra official details money woes (12-25-08)
Board chief of strapped orchestra quits in anger (12-23-2008)
Barbara Lee Woollen’s resignation letter (12-23-2008)
Musicians say they’ve lost confidence in board president (12-6-2008)

The Las Vegas Philharmonic

The Las Vegas Philharmonic’s controversial board president, Barbara Woollen, has stepped down amid leadership conflicts and financial problems within the organization.

Woollen submitted her resignation to the board last week in a fiery e-mail that criticized the board, conductor David Itkin and associate conductor Dick McGee.

After her resignation, the Philharmonic board fired Executive Director Peter Aaronson, who was hired at Woollen’s urging during her brief tenure.

Three other board members also stepped down — Bruce Woollen (Barbara’s husband), Shea Gordon and Cristine Lefkowitz.

Philharmonic Vice President Jeri Crawford, longtime board member and supporter of the musical arts, will serve as presiding officer for now.

Board members and musicians declined to comment on Woollen or her letter, but officials said the 10-year-old orchestra is now in a position to move forward. Itkin said he would comment only after an official announcement.

Right now the orchestra wants to concentrate on completing the season, Crawford said.

“It’s like a renewal of our direction,” she said. “Our focus is to continue to present the excellence of music. We know we’re going to the next level, to being a world class philharmonic that can move into the Smith Center.”

Sharon Street-Caldwell, viola player and chairwoman of the orchestra committee, said the musicians are excited about the changes: “We’re looking forward to the next half of the season. If anything, it’s brought us closer together. We’re all working for a common goal, which is the success of the Phil.”

The Sun first reported on the problems this month. The orchestra has a $1.7 million annual budget and a couple of months ago was looking at a deficit of almost $200,000, sources say. It lost corporate sponsorships for its Fourth of July concert and funding by individual donors who have cut their contributions because of the economy.

The orchestra was faced with possibly canceling its January youth concerts, which cost nearly $90,000 to present. Corporate and individual donors stepped forward to save the youth concerts, as did the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild, which raised $30,000. The orchestra is also resurrecting its Muse program, which reaches out to younger audiences through a membership program that offers preconcert receptions and after-concert parties.

To help with the deficit, music director Itkin cut his pay by 10 percent. Associate conductor McGee turned back the entire salary (about $10,000) for his part-time position and is working for free.

Sources say Aaronson, who was paid $125,000 a year, did not cut his salary. Woollen had offered to donate $30,000 to the orchestra if other board members came forward with another $60,000.

Musicians had already expressed concern about what some called the autocratic rule of Woollen, who became president July 1, and were worried about contract negotiations when the current contract expires.

Every musician in the orchestra — more than 70 — signed a “vote of non-confidence” in Woollen in September. The petition also asked for Woollen’s immediate removal as president. The Sun has received a copy of the petition.

A board member made a motion to recall Woollen as president, but the board voted to keep her.

When contacted about the petition, Woollen responded to the Sun with an e-mail issued through a public relations firm. She said an orchestra member “notified” her “of an alleged petition signed by orchestra members that has still not been verified or validated.” Woollen said the orchestra was “very favorable and supportive of my role as president.”

Street-Caldwell, however, said she personally handed the petition to Woollen. Musicians and certain staff and board members said they were concerned about the lack of transparency between Woollen and Aaronson while they were running the orchestra.

The Sun obtained a copy of Woollen’s resignation letter in which she wrote, “I took on the impossible responsibility of leading this organization because I believed I could make a difference and stayed long beyond reasonably expected because I had made the commitment to do so.”

Woollen then criticized conductor Itkin, who had planned to move to Las Vegas to lead the orchestra, but took a job in Dallas and moved there instead. She also referred to McGee, saying he “went on to pursue his own need to conduct, by starting a competing organization which directly conflicted with the goals of the LVP.” McGee formed the Nevada Pops organization this year at about the time the Las Vegas Philharmonic started a pops series.

In the letter Woollen also wrote: “When the inmates are running the asylum, when sound business practices are disregarded in lieu of Trustees and employees’ egos, personal pursuits and vindictive behavior, when the board room emulates the sounds of a misaligned garbage disposal, devoid of common decency and respect, it is truly time for me, and others of sound judgment, to take our time, tireless efforts and overly generous monetary contributions elsewhere.” She plans to return to private business, she added.

Discussion: 24 comments so far…

By jfnance32

12/23/08 at 7:39 a.m.

Suggest removal

I have this feeling that this will result in even more reductions in donations to the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

To get on the board, it usually means mega-donations and the ability to raise money. So the players have manage to pissed off 3 board members and the players can kiss good-bye to those donation and fundraising streams.

In this economy, every single dollar that you can keep is precious.

If they think the money problem is bad now then in six months they will wish that they had the ability to turn the clock back to now.

The players have no clue how to deal with the reality of this economy.

They have shot themselves in the foot.
By Narcissa

12/23/08 at 10:59 a.m.

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"How Special You Both Aren't... GooGooGaJoob!"

Ummm, yeah, Fallon, your mature name calling tells the reader everything they need to know about the mentality of the people Barbara Woollen was trying to help. To that end, I don't blame Ms. Woollen one bit for leaving. You may think you're being cute, but it really only reinforces the general belief that some of you are just too dumb to know what's best for you.

I happen to know that this woman is a prolific fundraiser and brilliant business woman. You people should have been THRILLED to have someone of her experience, savvy and dedication steering the ship.

But way to go, genius; Woollen was your best hope and now she's gone and what have you accomplished, besides managing to lose what would have been an excellent leader that would have protected and guided the LVP?

Mmmmhmm, I thought so.

Keep up with the name calling, though. Unfortunately, the joke's on you-you just don't know it yet. Maybe you will when the LVP has to shut down within the year.

Won't it be fun to name call, then?
By musiclover

12/23/08 at 11:19 a.m.

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But when you put into the equation the vastly more numerous Board members that quit due to BLW's "profound" leadership (her words), it far outweighs whatever money she gave to the organization. She hired, without providing all the pertinent details to the Board, a staff member far out of the range of what the group could afford, and then had to backtrack by offering to pay for part of the salary. The woman was not a good leader from what I have heard-and it was past time for her to go. Now many former Board members are probably going to return, so her removal is going to help, not hurt the organization.
By jfnance32

12/23/08 at 11:26 a.m.

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OK....but do not cry if there is a big drop in money coming in that is far and beyond the current and future impact of a bad economy.
By musiclover

12/23/08 at 12:16 p.m.

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The musicians were "very favorable and supportive" ??? - what planet is she on? The musicians I've spoken to said that NOT ONE PERSON said a word, out of restraint and decent courtesy, in response to BLW when she spoke to the orchestra. That is NOT supportive or favorable. Quite the opposite. Every single musician voted for her removal. Without them, this city does not have an orchestra, and they all saw the harm she was doing to this great organization. Everyone should be supporting them, as they bring a high level of musical talent to this wonderful city.
By mikegino

12/23/08 at 12:59 p.m.

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Tell the musicians to eat cake when their stomachs start to growl.
By bagnol

12/23/08 at 1:04 p.m.

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The messages above reinforce how important it was for Ms. Woollen to leave the Phil. It is NOT about whether you like her or dislike her; it is about leadership. Since some Board members wished her to remain and some vehemently wanted her to leave there was no UNITY! Ms. Woollen (perhaps unwittingly) was a divisive influence when unity was desperately needed. There is no way that an organization can continue with such division. Hopefully, the LVPhil will move on with a more united front. I wish Ms. Crawford good luck along with a willingness to listen. It is normal to disagree, but not to have continual disarray amongst members. Just to confirm one thing: I was at the Board meeting when Ms. Street-Caldwell presented the signed "no confidence" petition signed by ALL orchestra members, so to say it did not happen is ludicrous. Las Vegas needs an orchestra; let's hope that it will continue.
By jfnance32

12/23/08 at 1:40 p.m.

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It will be UNITED with no cash.
By musiclover

12/23/08 at 4:40 p.m.

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jfnance32 should just BUTT OUT and wish the orchestra good luck. Even BLW did. Stop trying to focus on the negative and as everyone's mother told every child, if you don't have something nice to say, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.
By jfnance32

12/23/08 at 5:11 p.m.

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Good luck....you going to need lots of it.

When you grow up and learn that you players live in the real world....a world that currently is having to deal with tough economic times....not the fanasty world that you are currently living in.....then perhaps you will have the right to tell others to shut up.
By Narcissa

12/23/08 at 5:18 p.m.

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Well, since the musicians and their advocates on this thread apparently know so much more about how to keep the LVP financially afloat than say, a successfull fundraiser/ businesswoman, let them run the show.

Because at least you won't have anyone "bossing you around".

I'm sure things will work out beautifully.
By Bruckner

12/23/08 at 8:37 p.m.

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All the negativity above is pathetic. If a CEO/President is amazingly talented in a particular field, that doesn't mean that their business prowess carries over to all other fields. If Ms. Whoolens is as divisive as is claimed by the orchestra and other board members, what good could she possibly do? She probably meant well, but running an orchestra takes more than just savvy business acumen. A higher degree of flexibility is needed. A more accepting and open mind is an absolute must. You can't just throw money at a problem and hope it gets fixed. What she ended up doing was akin to fixing a leak in a dam with duct tape. If someone can find the right way to patch things up, new money won't be as important. Stop the hemorrhaging. Stop paying too high of a salary to an undeserving Exec. Director. Too many orchestras are run by savvy business folk who have no idea how to properly manage and/or market an orchestra. This is ART. To think that she, as a single mind, knows the best way to run this organization is absurd.
I hope the best for the musicians in the LVP. I think you made the right choice!
By Narcissa

12/23/08 at 9:23 p.m.

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Nice try, Fallon, but I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA who the Aaronsens are and I wouldn't know them if I crashed into them on I-95.

As for the Woollens, it is common knowledge that she is an outstanding businesswoman/fundraiser and it seems to me that someone of her abilities should be WELCOME as a vehicle that would guide the LVP to economic stability, especially in these challenging times.

It is laughable to witness your teeth-gnashing over her because you obviously have some sort of agenda, no doubt founded in jealousy and whatever frustrated feelings of helplessness you experienced because you are incapable of "standing up" to a strong person such as she.

Quit projecting. I have never even attended a LVP concert, and after reading the insanity posed by
some of the participants (namely you) I certainly have no interest in helping to fund an organization
that is obviously so replete with such a bunch of ignorant whackjobs.

But, go ahead and enjoy your little Sherlock Holmes style Internet identifying fantasy: you couldn't
be farther from the truth.

I do, however, look forward to hearing about the prdigious amounts of money, expert financial management, and overall sound existence that the LVP will no doubt experience, now that your isolated little world has been perfected and you no longer have to deal with "mean people" who, apparently, because they have the nerve to have earned money you'll never have, dare to try and implement years of successful business management for an organization that desperately needs it.

And, all at no cost to anyone.

But go ahead, Fallon, you bitter pill, I'm SURE that your abilities will prove to be an outstanding success for all areas of the LVP.

HA!
By Narcissa

12/23/08 at 9:46 p.m.

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Oh, and btw, Fallon, you must be mixing your meds because your posts are starting to contradict themselves: first you snicker endlessly about Woollen having been fired, THEN you rant over the indignity concerning "evil rich people" "jumping ship" in a Titanic style lifeboat, a lifeboat which, apparently (in your little imaginary world), had room for more than just the Woollens.

Well, if someone is kicked off the ship (I.e fired), as you first so claimed, it seems more than a little disingenuous to next castigate that same person for being the sole ( or one of the few) passenger in the lifeboat into which you initially boasted about her being tossed!

Try and get your stories straight the next time.

That's the problem with bitter people with an agenda such as yourself: all you can do is rant, regardless of the facts.

And believe me, for everyone reading your barely coherent posts, IT SHOWS.
By Narcissa

12/23/08 at 11:11 p.m.

Suggest removal

Umm, if your playlist included more Charpentier, Handel and Molter, I WOULD attend/subscribe to the LVP, Einstein, but we all have are tastes.

Nice try at deflecting from the real issue, though, namely that you are a jealous person who obviously can't stand up to an authoritative with whom you disagree, much less keep your stories straight.

You still won't address your inconsistencies re your vitriolic rants; first, Woollen was fired, next, she allegedly "abandoned ship".

Which one is it?

Don't bother. It is obvious that your ability to express yourself is limited to redundant name calling,
the basis for which changes with each post.

You should hear how erratic and juvenile you come across, because at no time have you presented
ONE FACT, just stupid name calling, which, trust me, does nothing to advance your cause and
VERY MUCH DOES make you and the rest of the LVP sound like the ignorant whack jobs I
described you as being earlier.

No wonder Woollen threw up her hands and left. Who the hell would want to give money to, much less serve on the board of a group like that?

I am no publicist, just a lowly government prosecutor, but trust me when I tell you that your posts,
which contained no facts but were replete with babyish name calling, ad hominem attacks and more
than just a little bit of class envy, come across as ridiculous, especially when one considers the undeniable and substantial efforts that anyone who reads a newspaper knows that the Woollens have made toward trying to improve the cultural life in Las Vegas.
By NevadaFive

12/24/08 at 11:43 a.m.

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Golly gee, it's fun to watch the evil rich cast stones from their $5M plus penthouse. I sure hope the average taxpayer had nothing to do with contributing any money, time or effort to such a ridiculous organization as the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

This is Las Vegas for pete's sake - not Boston, New York, or any of the great cultural centers on the planet. I've lived here for more than 31 uncultured years and only recently have heard about the LVP. I honestly thought they were some sort of "summer-in-the-park" organization. Now I realize they are a poor replay of Dynasty. Since I don't have a ton of money (class envy here), it is a hoot to read the previous posts. I do feel for the orchestra members who might be effected by the stone throwing of their "betters." I know for a fact that it is a lifetime commitment to the art of music. I know for a fact that many talented people work for peanuts in order to have a "voice" for their art. The "image" pr people need to get the orchestra booked into a strip club while the "entertainers" bump and grind to Bach and Mozart.
By Chassid48

12/26/08 at 12:52 p.m.

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It is such a pitty to see all this trouble affecting what has the potential of being a world class Orchstra. I'd be happy to let the orchestra perform on of my Tone-Poems free of charge if it will help them. My Die Zauberer und die Hexen comes to mind as a good work for them. All they have to do is have one of their reps contact me here in Hell (Very Rural Texas).
Abraham Z. W.