Symphony History
"The thing I have always loved about the Symphony is what it
gives back to the youth of our area. With all the cutbacks in
education, the Symphony Outreach touches the lives of many
children with the universal language of music."
Wanda Mattiace
Sitting in the audience today, Oscar Butler, a beloved pioneer in the history of the Las Cruces Symphony, enjoys the music and tradition he was so instrumental in creating. Until ten years ago, he participated actively as a cellist in our LSCO. Many of us recognize his face from the orchestra and we now glimpse him in the audience. However, his service and influence extend further into the past than most of us realize.
After his arrival in Las Cruces in 1953 Mr. Butler soon became involved in his favorite activity, string quartets. As a professor of vocal music, he initially responded to a call for a community chorus. He did indeed create a choral ensemble. However, any symphonic role was limited to accompaniment of the chorus since no symphony existed in Las Cruces at the time. In 1958 a group decided to undertake a performance of Brahms's Requiem, making the decision to assemble a full symphony orchestra. Basically, this is when the symphony began. Local residents under Oscar's direction banded together to perform the first program in the former Alameda Junior High School, now the present District Court complex. The orchestra of 50 members performed free of charge under the direction of William Cramer, a violinist who taught at several local schools. The performance was a rousing success, and the new symphony entered the cultural scene of Las Cruces.
Mr. Butler was soon joined by another pioneer, Dr. John Glowacki, who arrived at NMSU in 1961 as Head of the Department of Fine Arts. Though his portfolio included all the arts at NMSU, the music program and especially the orchestra were nearest to his heart. Expanding the fledging orchestra begun by Oscar Butler was one of his top priorities. The roots of "a symphony blooms in the desert" were planted in 1962 by the newly appointed head of NMSU fine arts.
Dr. Glowacki integrated the community orchestra with the university as the University-Civic Symphony in 1961, making it possible for students to receive academic credit for performing in the six concert season. An exchange program was established with the University of Chihuahua, The Orchestra traveled regularly to perform in Mexico. He also established a children's music program to supplement the elementary music programs, an effort that the Las Cruces Symphony Association continues to this day. Dr. Glowacki continued to be involved, teaching violin, conducting the orchestra and serving as Head of the Department of Fine Arts until he passed the baton to his successor, Dr. Marianna Gabbi, in 1975.
Dr. Gabbi continued the growth and development of the Orchestra in so many ways. Perhaps one of the most significant was the foundation of what was initially known as the Las Cruces Symphony Society formed on October 13, 1975 with Glenn Cutter serving as the first president. In 1980 the name was changed to the Las Cruces Symphony Association. The Association Board was initially developed to raise money for student scholarships since none were available for string players. This broadened to provide financial for securing renowned guest artists and for facilitating the establishment of the Symphony subscription series.
In 1980, Beverly Briggs accepted the presidency of the organization and stayed in office until 1995. The Association decided early on that developing a symphony orchestra required their total attention rather than addressing wider music programs. With a dedicated president and dynamic community members who provided strong financial and hands on support, the Association grew in strength. Beverly approached the task in a very professional manner; she consulted with out of town boards, attended workshop and sought advice from the American Symphony Orchestra League. She brought in experts to start a subscription series for the 1980-81 season, making it possible for the Association to apply for the New Mexico Arts Grant. A strong fundraising approach encouraging endowments enabled the Association to hiring guest artists and augment musician strength. In 1981 the Guild was founded, concentrating on financial support for educational programs previously established by Dr. Gabbi and the Board of Directors. These included:
- 1975: free symphony concerts presented to Las Cruces Public Schools fifth grade students
- 1976: board members organized the Young Artists Competition
- 1980: the board organized an intensive two week summer camp program for high school students
- In addition, Dr. Gabbi initiated preview concert luncheons as an opportunity to educate and involve the general public.
This fast and furious growth had administrative implications. Ticket sales and financial management were tasks that the board and volunteers could no longer manage alone. In 1986 Joyce Blackford was hired as business manager on a part time basis. She remained with the orchestra until moving to Phoenix in 1998.
In 1995 Beverly Briggs decided it was time to give up her long term tenure as president and Dr. Gabbi asked Nita Swartz to take on this responsibility. Beverly officially retired as association president at the same time as Dr. Gabbi, in 1999, but continues to this day as an active giving member of the Symphony Association.
With Dr. Gabbi's retirement the board was confronted with a major decision: was it to be reflecting on past glories or building upon the legacy that Marianna had provided for the community? It was no contest. The choice was continued growth and development. The Board therefore chose to work closely with and support the Music Department in seeking a successor. Three weeks of listening to the finalists conducting Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony made it clear to all concerned, i.e., the faculty, musicians and the LSCA Board members, that Dr. Lonnie Klein was the candidate to choose.
The Board had many difficult decisions to make at this time. Following Joyce Blackford's resignation the Association was without any permanent office management. As a result, the Association president needed to be able to give almost full time dedication to this position. Fortunately, past president Nita Swartz was prepared to do the same. The Board recognized that it needed a full-time manager to cope with the growing administrative tasks. Chris Wohl, the incoming president, and Nita Swartz ensured that season tickets were sold and sent out, and covered all other office duties until a search resulted in the hiring of Erica Zenzer, a young music administration graduate, as the first full time manager. "What a relief."
Fundraising to meet increased expenses continued to be a key issue. There was a growing awareness that the growth of both the orchestra and the Association had reached a new stage in their professional growth. Las Cruces was growing as a city. It was attracting professional musicians among its newly retired residents and with the population growth, potentially more community financial support should be available,
While the orchestra continues to grow in professional strength and quality under the leadership of our high energy dynamo conductor, Lonnie Klein, the Association board strives to meet all the legal and professional standards to support a (501)(c)(3) voluntary organization. The Presidents serve a maximum of two terms and the Board has a regular change in officers and board members. Recent presidents, among them Mernie Burden and the current president Donna Stryker, have brought their special talents in leadership.
Las Cruces has been a very special venue for a symphony to grow and blossom in the desert. This has been because of the nature of the community itself which has been a nurturing one. The key to this growth and development were community supporters prepared to give their time, talent, and treasures. Guest artists value the special attention they are given and want to perform here. Board members and volunteer supporters enjoy the fun and camaraderie that can come from working in an exciting organization.
For the Symphony to maintain and grow in strength will depend on the continued commitment from the community it serves.
Submitted by Nita Swartz and Chris Wohl
