While listening to a symphony orchestra, the audience may not realize the work required to produce each performance of timeless beautiful music. While it is the conductor who guides the musicians into harmony, the backstage team is equally important.

The Asheville Symphony Orchestra, now in its 50th season, is in good financial health with even greater hopes for the future. Unfortunately, many orchestras nationwide (some in business more than twice as long as ASO) have been silenced by bankruptcy and others, right here in the Carolinas, are facing that same financial fate. ASO is indeed fortunate to have a professional staff behind the stage bringing music to the mountains.

Sally Keeney, ASO’s artistic administrator since 1982, says her second job of choice would be tornado chaser. Hiring and scheduling musicians may sound mundane, but she says there is electricity in the work surrounding a perfect performance. When a violinist has broken her wrist, when a cellist’s car breaks down on the way to the concert, Sally is the one they call. She does not stop with the downbeat, for there are musicians with a hacking cough and young soloists with stage fright. All the while, Sally is backstage helping to provide a quality concert.

Office administrator Elisabeth Varner has handled the symphony’s accounting and customer services since 1986. With around 1,400 season subscribers, hundreds of “Pick-3” concertgoers, and single ticket sales—getting everyone the seat they want is a logistical challenge requiring skill and much diplomacy. Chasing her own storms, she ensures every concertgoer is happy.

Joining this team 14 years ago, ASO’s executive director Steven Hageman had a background in business and finance. His only music experiences, however, were in the audience. “He was like a breath of fresh air,” Elisabeth remembers. “It was exactly what this organization needed.” Steven found the ASO’s staff quite capable, but the organization’s infrastructure and fund-raising plans needed to be updated. While his expertise has put ASO in a stable position, he is quick to credit success to “the serious and dedicated approach taken by the hardworking and supportive Board of Directors, the Symphony Guild that both fund raises and ‘friend raises’ for the orchestra, and the loyal subscription base.” Steven has positioned the orchestra well for the future, as he reacted quickly to the financial downturn, and made sure the organization set realistic goals for what they could do in this community.

Another piece of this smoothly running staff was added in 2007 with Stage Manager Michael Morel. Whether it is precisely setting up stages for rehearsals and performances, graphic design, helping with computers, or simply answering phones, Sally says Michael is “always ready to do what is needed.”

With this can-do group working for the symphony, these mountains can look forward to many more years of outstanding sym- phonic music.

(In Photo: Sallie J. Keeney, Elisabeth P. Varner, Steven R. Hagerman , and Michael J. Morel)