Betty Emirhanian is finally in an ensemble that she always wanted to be a part of — the Restoration Concert Committee, which has coordinated classical concerts for the Friends of the South Pasadena Library for 20 years.
The committee is in the home stretch of its subscription drive for the upcoming season, which begins Sept. 24 with eight concerts at the community room of the South Pasadena Public Library.
“I’ve been a lover of music my entire life, but alas, no talent to play myself. I wanted to join the committee for a while, but there was no opening,” said Emirhanian. But when one of the founding committee members, Kay Rossner, decided to retire, “I jumped at the opportunity.”
Emirhanian is the newest committee member and a person who is no stranger to city leadership roles, having served as president of WISPPA (Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Advocacy) from 2018-2020.
“I cannot tell you how much I admire the women on the committee. They all work very hard to get things done without egos or getting in the way,” she said. “I also feel so fortunate to be a part of this wonderful undertaking. The music uplifts and gives everyone a moment to leave the cares of the world behind.
“To have this in our little city is truly special. Many in our audience have been coming for years, donating money, helping us put away chairs after concerts. It truly is a community of music lovers.
The pandemic negatively affected attendance when concerts resumed in 2021. Seating was limited because chairs had to be spaced out. Emirhanian noted that a sign that things are returning to normal is that last year’s final concert was nearly sold out. About 150 people attended each concert, and about 100 of those were season subscribers. Emirhanian said that sales are going well for this year’s program.
Pre-purchased season tickets are $136 for eight concerts, saving concertgoers $65 over ticket prices at the door.
The first concert of the season features a piano and violin duo with Cindy Lam and Nathan Cole. The New Hollywood String Quartet, and pianist Robert Thies will also be returning to perform during the series.
Ticket prices were increased last year for the first time in many years, with subscriptions going from $96 to $136. The committee — due to problems with the current piano — has had to rent the instrument for some concerts, and all expenses have increased.
“Even with the increase, the ticket price does not cover the cost of the concerts,” Emirhanian said. “We are so fortunate to have a number of generous donors who help keep this wonderful series going.”
The idea for a classical music concert grew out of an idea of how to celebrate the library’s 100th birthday. The concert was such a success that it became a regular classical series. Rosser and Kathy Folsom served as co-chairs for more than 20 years, and Folsom still books the musicians for the concerts.
The concerts blossomed into a Summer of Brahms Festival in 2019 with eight sold-out performances in eight consecutive nights where the whole of Johannes Brahms’ chamber music was played featuring the New Hollywood String Quartet and musicians from around the world.
It was the perfect example of what Emirhanian said was a motto for the committee: “Beautiful music for a very reasonable price in a historic venue.”
For more information on the Restoration Concerts, visit: friendsofsopaslibrary.org/restoration.concerts.
First published in the Aug. 18 issue of the South Pasadena Review
