Meet Our Volunteers & Interns
Pacific Symphony’s Finance Committee Named 2024 Volunteer of the Year
April marks a season of celebration as we honor the spirit of altruism during National Volunteer Month. Pacific Symphony, a vibrant beacon of musical culture, is taking a moment to pause and reflect on the extraordinary contributions of those who selflessly give their time and expertise to nourish the arts within our community.
This year, we wish to shine the spotlight not on a single individual but on an ensemble of dedication: our Finance Committee.
“As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, it’s a poignant time to acknowledge the vibrant heartbeat of Pacific Symphony—our volunteers. In recent years, our Symphony has seen an invigorating surge of passion and dedication with the integration of volunteers across the organization,” reflects Abby Edmunds, Senior Director of Volunteer Services. “Our volunteers’ energy and collective spirit have not only bolstered all areas of our work throughout the community but have also been pivotal in propelling us towards the strategic goals that uphold our artistic mission. It’s through their continuous support and overwhelming generosity that we remain harmonized with our commitment to excellence and to serving our community.”
Key volunteers of any successful organization often play quietly in the background, orchestrated by those whose passion reverberates through the very core of its existence. The Finance Committee, a harmonious group of nine, conducts more than just numbers; they compose the financial melodies that allow Pacific Symphony to flourish. Under the baton of esteemed Symphony Board member Mark Nielsen, this committee ensures that the Symphony’s finances perform as beautifully as our musicians on stage.
Each member brings a unique tempo of experience in business and policy, contributing to the Symphony’s sound financial governance. Their crescendo of activity has been particularly notable during challenging times, such as shutdown during the recent global pandemic. It was then that their guidance ensured our institution remained on a steady financial course, allowing us to maintain our commitment to our musicians, staff, and the music that brings us all together.
As we emerge from the shadow of the pandemic, it is time to acknowledge the stewardship of the Finance Committee. Their dedication has been a beacon of support and encouragement, guiding us through turbulent waters into a new era of prosperity and growth. Their balanced approach to financial oversight works in concert with the Executive Committee, assisting Pacific Symphony towards even greater achievements.
Our gratitude extends beyond their strategic guidance; each member of this esteemed committee is also a patron of the arts, attending concerts and engaging with our musical community. Their love for Pacific Symphony is not confined to spreadsheets and budgets; it is lived out in the joy of experiencing the music they help to sustain.
We offer our deepest thanks to the following virtuosos of vision and diligence:
Mark Nielsen, Chair
Arthur Ong
John Evans
Mike Gordon
Seth Johnson
Patricia McAuley
John Peller
Evan Siegel
Andy Thorburn
Christopher Tower
The gallery above features Finance Committee members Mark Nielsen, Arthur Ong, John Evans, andd Mike Gordon (row 1),
Patricia McAuley, John Peller, Evan Siegel, and Christopher Tower (row 2). Not pictured are Seth Johnson and Andy Thorburn.
Sean Sutton, Pacific Symphony’s Executive Vice President and COO, resonates with gratitude: “I am deeply appreciative of the sage advice and guidance we have received from each and every member of the committee. They have been instrumental in helping Pacific Symphony weather the adversity of past seasons and in assisting the organization to emerge from a difficult time in a strong position.”
During this National Volunteer Month, let us take a moment to stand and offer a standing ovation to these unsung heroes. Their contributions may not always be in the limelight, but their impact resonates through every note played and every heart stirred by the power of music. Here’s to the Finance Committee, our 2024 Volunteers of the Year—their service is our symphony’s fortissimo in a world that dearly needs the unity and beauty of classical music.