REALTOR AIDS STRUGGLING SYMPHONY.

Byline: Victoria Giraud

Two and a half years ago Santa Clarita Valley Realtor Steve Weston was a season subscriber to the L.A. Philharmonic. He had no idea that Santa Clarita Symphony of the Canyons existed until his wife suggested they go to hear her friend play a violin duet.

``It tore my heart out. There were 80 people in the audience and 60 in the orchestra,'' Weston remembered. He considered himself well-informed, but had not heard of the symphony. Being in real estate and aware of the need for constant promotion, Weston determined that he would help it out.

Since then, he's spent about 20 hours a week on promoting and managing the business affairs of the symphony. ``I sell all the tickets and make sure we have all the food,'' Weston explained and added that he had developed 32 sources for publicity and now had a mailing list with 2,200 names.

Weston did ``everything you can think of.'' He went around to all the local schools, service organizations, and the Chamber of Commerce distributing fliers and a season brochure. He appeared on radio talk shows and kept adding names to a mailing list.

It's paid off. ``Last season all the concerts were sold out, the last concert 10 weeks in advance,'' Weston happily boasted. Although there are only 312 seats in the auditorium at College of the Canyons, there are 265 season ticket holders.

This season kicks off at 8 p.m. Sept. 28 at the symphony's regular venue, College of the Canyons, combined with an art show put on by the Santa Clarita Valley Artists Association. The program will feature Beethoven's 8th Symphony, Concerto Da Camera for Flute and English Horn by Honegger, and Fingal's Cave Overture by Mendelssohn. The remaining concerts are scheduled for Nov. 2, Dec. 14, Feb. 22 and May 17.

``I've dragged a lot of people there. They have the desserts (a lineup of fattening concoctions like black forest chocolate torte, cheesecakes and carrot cake), and say, `This is great.' ''

The desserts, gourmet coffee and fruit juices are offered for a mere $1 donation. Even though the symphony loses money on the food, Weston feels it helps to make a concert evening something special and affordable.

Weston is serious about inspiring friends to attend. He related that he had bugged a friend who was a fan of 1970s music. The friend finally agreed to attend the symphony and since has become so enthusiastic about the music and orchestra that he bought four season tickets with plans to take his parents along.

To ensure that senior citizens get a chance to attend concerts, Weston has started a program of ticket donations. In mailing the tickets to the seniors, he encloses a thank you note to the donors and requests they add a personal note and mail it on. ``It makes people feel great and builds goodwill.''

Weston has high goals for the symphony.

``We intend to become a second-level orchestra, something like the Burbank Symphony, a major play in the arts community and the music community in Southern California. We have the people, the talent, the will and the support of the community.''

If the venue were larger, raising money and obtaining corporate sponsors would be easier, Weston said. Tickets are now just $10, but once the quake-damaged Hart High School Auditorium is back in action more tickets could be sold at higher prices, he added.

Symphony members are both profession and semiprofessional, and come from throughout Southern California - including San Diego where violist Karen Elaine lives. The youngest member is 17-year-old cellist Jean Garascia; among the oldest is Richard Wagner, 75, a studio musician who plays violin. Members are not paid to perform in the symphony.

Robert Lawson, a professional musician and teacher, is the conductor with first violinist Beth Folsom, concert master. Geoff Kuenning, a computer scientist by profession, plays percussion and is in charge of the concert programs and program notes on the music's historical context. His wife, Pat, is a cellist in the symphony.

Weston has nothing but praise for the orchestra members; they're ``so alive,'' he said. He observed that he is always astounded at how each concert comes together so excellently, especially when practices can be so out of tune.

``It's an interesting process to watch. People are so nervous. You can't talk to them the night before the concert, but after the first half, it's party time.''

Younger members of the community are actively involved with the symphony, including Weston's 14-year-old son, James, and his wife, Patrice. Saugus High School Jazz Band members act as parking lot valets, and the 10 or so young concert volunteers help set up the chairs, decorate, serve food, distribute programs and clean up.

``We cater to children,'' Weston pointed out. ``We try to encourage them to come up during intermission and after the program to talk to the musicians. They're our future.''

For information on the symphony, call [phone].

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Photo

Photo: (color) Steve Weston has become the biggest supporte r of the Santa Clarita Symphony of the Canyons.

John Lazar/Special to the Daily News