January 4, 2010

Dear NHMF Family,
The Board of Directors met on December 17th to review our artistic 
goals and the options available to us to achieve them starting with 
the 2010 season.  After a long and comprehensive discussion, the 
Board concluded it was not in the best interests of our audience, 
orchestra, management, or the Board to embark on another season of 
division and tension that marked 2009.  Indeed, the Board believed 
that to do so could put at risk the very existence of the Festival.

Consequently, the Board has changed course.  It has decided to work 
toward its goal to create more exciting musical experiences in a more 
traditional way.  We felt our plans to introduce a collaborative 
approach to music making with a contingent of new musicians, existing 
musicians and highly distinguished students was not going to be 
embraced.  For that reason, pursuing that approach would not have 
achieved the collaborative environment we sought in presenting 
concerts for the enjoyment of our patrons.

A representative of the Board and Festival management has approached 
the Chair of the Orchestra Committee to discuss this new direction.  
We are encouraged that, working together, we will put the issues that 
divided us aside.  The Board and Festival management are committed to 
working with the orchestra to achieve a successful 2010 season and a 
secure, harmonious future.

There are several meetings scheduled in January to work out all the 
details as we return to the more traditional way the Festival has 
been managed.  Once everything has been finalized, we will report to 
you fully by the end of January.  In the meantime, please know that 
the Festival Orchestra you have loved over these many years will be 
returning next summer.

While the Board of Directors and Festival Management felt that the 
new direction it had carefully chosen to reinvigorate the orchestra 
and achieve even higher artistic quality was the correct one, there 
come a time when to continue down that path in the face of sincere 
misgivings on the part of our musicians and patrons is simply not 
good for the health and stability of the organization.  That time has 
come.  We recognize we did not anticipate the strong emotions that 
were stirred by the planned new direction.  Our goal is - and has 
always been - to bring you great music and we pledge to your our 
commitment to do that.

We wish you all a Happy New Year and a wonderful future of the New 
Hampshire Music Festival.

With warm regards,

[signed, Rusty, Chairman  and Susan Vice Chairman]