Idaho State-Civic Symphony announces 2015-16 new board members, officers, season

POCATELLO – The Idaho State-Civic Symphony Association has announced the election of new officers for the coming season, the installation of new members to its Board of Directors, and the awarding of emeritus status to Jay Kunze, retiring board member and past president.

Kunze also holds emeritus status from Idaho State University where he was a professor of nuclear engineering, dean of the College of Engineering, and reactor administrator of the Nuclear Reactor Office.

This season’s officers are Kate Fornarotto, president; Donald Colby, president-elect; Pam Maguire, vice-president; Joel Phillip, treasurer; and Kathleen Hall, secretary. Other Executive Committee members are Immediate Past-President Rayna Valentine, Artistic Director/Conductor Grant Harville, and Executive Director Heather Clarke.

Peggy Hall Johnson, Robert Raschke, and Cameron Topliff began their new terms on the board of directors July 1. Johnson and Raschke are new to the association; Topliff has previously served as a board member.

“We’re delighted that Peggy, Robert, and Cameron were elected to serve terms on the board; their enthusiasm and wealth of experience will be invaluable to the association,” Fornarotto said.

Johnson may be new to the board of directors, but she is no stranger to volunteer work on behalf of the ISCS; she spent a great deal of time and energy for three of the association’s previous successful “Artrageous” fundraisers. She also volunteered on behalf of the Pocatello Art Center in its three-year campaign of fundraisers. She said she’s looking forward to serving a three-year term as a director.

Raschke has recently begun a new career as executive director of Grace Lutheran School. He has served on a number of different community boards, including service as chairman of the Grace Lutheran School Board. He is currently the director of recreational soccer for the school’s local soccer club as well as director of recreational soccer for Idaho Youth Soccer.

Topliff, the branch manager for the campus branch of the ISU Credit Union served as an ISCS board member from 2006 to 2008. He was president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors from June 2007 to August, 2008, and was named 2008 Advisor of the Year for that organization. His community service has included serving on the board of directors of Family Services Alliance and he is currently a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America.

Board officers and members join in inviting the community to enjoy performances this season. The classical concert series “Elysium” begins on Saturday, Sept. 26, featuring Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto in D Major,” with Stephanie Chase as guest artist. Other star pieces in the classical series will be Holst’s “The Planets,” Nov. 13; Joy to the World Christmas performances Dec. 11 and 12; an original percussion concerto by Thom Hasenpflug, ISU music professor and director of the School of Performing Arts, Feb. 12; and Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” April 29 and 30.

Patrons who purchase the complete season of six evening concerts and can enjoy the same seating for the Symphony’s POPs concert, March 11, that features Broadway music and more, with musical theatre favorites performed by Sarah Lawrence and Calland Metts. Highly popular raffle packages will again be included as part of the POPs concert festivities.

The symphony will also present its Halloween Spooktacular Family Matinee on Saturday, Oct. 31, which features patrons in costumes and a pre-concert musical fair in the Marshal Rotunda that includes an instrument petting zoo.

“Join us for the 2015-2016 season; you’ll have the opportunity to hear our talented musicians and guest artists perform great music in a great venue,” said Grant Harville, ISCS artistic director and conductor.

Season tickets are available to the public from now until Friday, Sept. 25. Patrons can choose between two packages, either the five-concert classical series or the six-concert classical series including the POPs concert.

For more information call the ISU Box Office at 208-282-3595.