2008 Woodie Awards
Sheboygan Symphony out of tune
SSO losing its conductor
Chris Tourtellott
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
After months of internal conflict, Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is losing their conductor and musical director, Guy Victor Bordo.
Bordo will fulfill the remainder of his contract, which expires June 30, 2005. Bordo's 13 years with the SSO comes down to only four concerts remaining.
As the Maestro of the SSO and the musical director, he worked in the community to help promote music. Lakeland has master classes for special guests that play with the SSO. Bordo said he has made close relationships with the SSO members.
Bordo's right hand, Executive Director Jan Homiston, is in charge of the SSO finances and business. Also, she makes sure everything is ordered and prepared before concerts. Homiston is in charge of SSO members by providing equipment, musical instruments, and pay. She works side-by-side with Bordo to make concerts run smoothly.
Homiston stated, "Everything was fine with Guy and me until March first of this year. On that morning I received an e-mail from Guy stating that I should not talk to you." Homiston was shocked because she didn't know what she did.
Bordo announced his resignation the day after the musician's board and staff met to discuss the ongoing turmoil in the SSO. In a written statement, Bordo said he made his decision by the board's inaction on issues that where important to him.
Sheboygan Press interviewed Bordo on this issue. "During the past year, considerable conflict has existed within the SSO organization. It has become clear to me in the past few months that I do not have the support of the board of directors and this is critical to success for a conductor. In fact, we have fundamental differences in our priorities for the orchestra."
Tuesday, October 5th 2005, over fifty SSO members, including the SSO chorus and Lakeland students, attended a meeting that discussed a lack of communication and Bordo's resignation. The board of the SSO was present, including Homiston. Many of the SSO members were confused when they found out at a rehearsal they were losing Bordo. The meeting was to discuss the job description of the executive director and why Bordo was leaving. SSO members came to the meeting to listen at first, than many questions were asked along with the SSO concerns being stated.
Homiston gave a speech at this meeting stating what she does for the SSO, what she does outside of work, and to go through the budget of the SSO. Homiston works very closely with the symphony performers to make sure everything is running smoothly. Members still had more questions on how they could keep Bordo.
At the end of this meeting Crystal Iverson, a Lakeland College sophomore, stated, "We should understand we have lost Guy and move on." The board formally accepted Bordo's resignation on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. The board also eliminated the executive director position; Homiston will still perform the same duties for the SSO. In December of 2005, the board will be making decisions on the future staff.
In June of 2005, Bordo will be giving his last down beat at the SSO pops concert at Lakeland College.
Bordo will fulfill the remainder of his contract, which expires June 30, 2005. Bordo's 13 years with the SSO comes down to only four concerts remaining.
As the Maestro of the SSO and the musical director, he worked in the community to help promote music. Lakeland has master classes for special guests that play with the SSO. Bordo said he has made close relationships with the SSO members.
Bordo's right hand, Executive Director Jan Homiston, is in charge of the SSO finances and business. Also, she makes sure everything is ordered and prepared before concerts. Homiston is in charge of SSO members by providing equipment, musical instruments, and pay. She works side-by-side with Bordo to make concerts run smoothly.
Homiston stated, "Everything was fine with Guy and me until March first of this year. On that morning I received an e-mail from Guy stating that I should not talk to you." Homiston was shocked because she didn't know what she did.
Bordo announced his resignation the day after the musician's board and staff met to discuss the ongoing turmoil in the SSO. In a written statement, Bordo said he made his decision by the board's inaction on issues that where important to him.
Sheboygan Press interviewed Bordo on this issue. "During the past year, considerable conflict has existed within the SSO organization. It has become clear to me in the past few months that I do not have the support of the board of directors and this is critical to success for a conductor. In fact, we have fundamental differences in our priorities for the orchestra."
Tuesday, October 5th 2005, over fifty SSO members, including the SSO chorus and Lakeland students, attended a meeting that discussed a lack of communication and Bordo's resignation. The board of the SSO was present, including Homiston. Many of the SSO members were confused when they found out at a rehearsal they were losing Bordo. The meeting was to discuss the job description of the executive director and why Bordo was leaving. SSO members came to the meeting to listen at first, than many questions were asked along with the SSO concerns being stated.
Homiston gave a speech at this meeting stating what she does for the SSO, what she does outside of work, and to go through the budget of the SSO. Homiston works very closely with the symphony performers to make sure everything is running smoothly. Members still had more questions on how they could keep Bordo.
At the end of this meeting Crystal Iverson, a Lakeland College sophomore, stated, "We should understand we have lost Guy and move on." The board formally accepted Bordo's resignation on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. The board also eliminated the executive director position; Homiston will still perform the same duties for the SSO. In December of 2005, the board will be making decisions on the future staff.
In June of 2005, Bordo will be giving his last down beat at the SSO pops concert at Lakeland College.