NEWS AND LINKS: San Diego renews Civic Organist’s contract

By Robert D. Thomas

Music Critic

Pasadena Star-News/San Gabriel Valley Tribune/Whittier Daily
News

 

For those of us who are organ lovers, the following New York Times article was a very nice
post-Christmas present (LINK).

 

An article earlier in the year in the San Diego Union-Tribune (LINK) noted
that “[Organist Carol] Williams’ current contract pays her $555 for each of her
weekly Sunday-afternoon concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa
Park, for a total of $286,000 over 10 years. She is also obligated to play
three civic events a year for free. In addition to her contract with the city,
Williams is paid $35,798 a year by the Spreckels Organ Society, where she is
the artistic director. The society also covers her health benefits.”

 

According to the NYT, the city provides $13,400 per year in
addition to Williams’ salary (she’s the first woman to hold the position of
Civic Organist); the $42,000 from the city represents less than 17% of the
annual $250,000 budget for the weekly Sunday concerts and a Monday night summer
series. Members of the Spreckels Organ Society collect $30,000 and the balance
comes from grants and outside donations.

 

BTW: If you’ve never heard one of the outdoor organ concerts
in Balboa Park, you should put it on your to-do list when you’re next in San
Diego. They’re really quite impressive and it’s a great way to spend an hour or
so on a Sunday afternoon.

_______________________

 

(c) Copyright 2011, Robert D. Thomas. All rights reserved.
Portions may be quoted with attribution.

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