ESO board to blame for Hanson’s departure

It is with shock, sadness and a heavy heart that I write this letter. I ask all of the Fox Valley area Elgin Symphony supporters to remember the names of the current board members, President Jerry Cain and CEO Dale Lonis. These people individually and collectively are responsible for Bob Hanson’s resignation, through their new operating policies.

The same week that we were mailed 2011-12 concert schedules, which included Bob’s name, we learned that he resigned. This departure was not planned, but through their decisions they lost Bob. We, the audience, should have been allowed a retirement season or send-off. Shame on each one of them.

Bob was the Elgin Symphony and the Elgin Symphony was Bob. He spent every day for 37 years with and for musicians. He fostered and developed funding sources. He used his passion and skills behind the scenes to compose, arrange parts, work on behalf of youth educational programs and mold the ESO into what it is today.

Bob and the ESO put Elgin on the map and his resignation will greatly impact us for years to come.

Susan McIntyre

Elgin