Welcome back! I'm proud to report that the New Beaujolais Symphony Orchestra has survived its financial crisis and has risen once again to bring the finest in classical music to the area, to the nation and to the world wide web. This year, as well as performing my duties as Music Director of the New Beaujolais Symphony Orchestra, I have also been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Symphony by the NBSO Board of Directors. This new position will enable me to direct the entire organization, as one homogenous unit, toward the achievement of our goals, both fiscal and artistic, well into the next century.

I have envisioned, I believe, an enthralling and innovative series of classical music programs for our audiences. Most programs will feature a guest soloist of international renown. The NBSO has also been working with the musician's union and its attorneys in an effort to upgrade our orchestral personnel by having national auditions for several recently vacated key positions. As you may well realize, none of these programs or lawsuits come without a price...

The cost of conductor and office staff salaries as well as legal arbitrations has never been higher. Of course, the musicians' payroll has absorbed a large portion of these budget increases but we still need your help to balance our budget. At the suggestion of of friends on the NBSO Board of Trustees, I'm initiating a new program in which you may sponsor an individual work on one of our concerts. One of our most popular dedications this year is Sibelius' "Finlandia", which is appropriate for almost all occasions, especially if one is Finnish.