Pops orchestra strikes dissonant chord with Minden Town Board

Minden board members said, "So long, farewell," Wednesday night to an arrangement with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra which allowed the musical group to use the CVIC Hall for free.

Since its inception nearly eight years ago, the 40-member orchestra has practiced weekly and performed at the hall without paying fees. Their concerts, which are free, have attracted audiences of up to 200.

Other arts groups, like the Carson Valley Theatre Co., are charged $750-$1,000 per production for rehearsals and performances at the CVIC Hall.

Minden board members questioned why the orchestra, which originally was all-volunteer, has begun to pay performers and rental for a larger facility at St. Gall Pastoral Center, but expected to use the Minden facilities for free.

In requesting the agreement be continued, orchestra president Tony Navarro submitted a letter to the board which valued musicians' service to the community at $32,700 annually.

"We are a nonprofit organization that does not charge for any performances. We provide concerts for the Town of Minden at substantial expense to the orchestra, particularly our July Fourth performance. The significance of this fact cannot be overstated or ignored," Navarro said in his Dec. 4 letter.

No one from the orchestra attended the meeting Wednesday.

Town board member Ray Wilson said the tenor of the orchestra changed when musicians began to be paid.

"It all started out as a good thing," he said. "It was supposed to be amateur performers who loved to get together and play music. It sounded good to me before they started paying performers."

The board agreed that the Minden taxpayers shouldn't be asked to provide free accommodations for the orchestra.

"When it started out, it was a volunteer effort. We were very proud of it and always assumed that someday the orchestra would be successful and need a larger venue. They go to St. Gall, they pay St. Gall. It's almost like they've outgrown this facility. If they like St. Gall's, they can practice there," board member Bob Hadfield said.

"For them to tell me they're giving $32,700 to the town, I am sorry," he said.

Board members left the door open for continued negotiations with the orchestra.

"We were the incubator. They have gone on to another way of doing business," Hadfield said.