Placing a screen on the Sun Valley Pavilion lawn was an important part of the plan when the Sun Valley Summer Symphony benefit with Garth Brooks was being produced for Sunday, Aug. 1. The organization's board decided to keep the 14-by-25-foot screen in place for the symphony's opening night on Monday, Aug. 2, with Itzhak Perlman, because the concert was anticipated to have the highest attendance at the Sun Valley Pavilion to date. In all, 5,900 people attended the Perlman concert.
"The entire audience on the lawn gave a standing ovation after the ... concert with Itzhak Perlman," said Symphony Executive Director Jennifer Teisinger. "Many audience members were in tears. I have not seen that kind of reaction from the lawn audience since the Pavilion opened in 2008."
On Wednesday, Aug. 4, Teisinger announced in a pre-concert speech that plans to keep the screen beside the lawn were in motion due to the response of the community and a decision by the symphony board.
"Audience members have remarked that having the screen helps them feel more connected to the music," said Martha Reed, the symphony board president.
Teisinger said the symphony board has taken a financial leap of faith to keep the screen because the community wanted it to happen.
The operating costs to have the screen go far beyond the rental of a crane and the screen. A three-person camera crew, rental of three cameras as well as the employment of a technical director are all essential elements.
"The technical director does not know the music," Teisinger said. "(The conductor) sits down with the technical director and the score of music and points out the highlights and the solos to be performed at the concert."
In addition, the technical director is given prep cues during the performance for the camera operators.
"It makes a huge difference when you have someone who knows the music and literally calling the shots," Teisinger said.
The screen will be reinstalled for the concert on Saturday, Aug. 7, featuring Emanuel Ax. It will remain in place for the duration of the concert season through Tuesday, Aug. 17.
For complete symphony program information and concert dates, visit www.svsummersymphony.org or call (208) 622-5607.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
