Irwin Hobden joined Penticton Community Concerts in 1952 and he has accumulated some tales to tell as the long-time president steps back, but not completely away from the organization.
“I’ve got yards of stories,” Hobden said.
“It was great meeting the artists. I used to think, when I first took over as president, that you kind of have to treat these people with kid gloves, but it turns out they are ordinary down-to-earth people who loved what they were doing and easy to get along with.”
Hobden added that in the past 62 years, Penticton Community Concerts has filled over 300,000 theatre seats, with over 300 live concerts.
“It’s been a delightful experience for me,” Hobden said.
He is stepping back, but will stay on as past president for the next year to help with the transition and to help guide new board members, who will be elected at the AGM for Penticton Community Concerts Feb. 18 at the Shatford Centre at 7 p.m.
Randy Manuel, Yvonne Biagioni and Margaret Ireland will also be stepping down from the board of directors, leaving four total vacancies on the board.
Katie Robinson and David Korinetz are two early commitments to fill the spots. Leane Fairholm and Rob Dewer will also be staying on as former directors.
“We will open it for elections on the floor and just see if there is anybody else interested. We’re also doing some recruiting between now and the meeting,” Hobden said.
He said the criteria for being a board member isn’t too strict.
“Anyone who is interested in music,” Hobden said.
He’s hoping some young blood will help mix up the type of concerts that are being brought to Penticton through the organization.
“Some of the board members we’re getting on are younger people, with new, younger ideas and have a better idea what the young people want to hear,” Hobden said.
As far as advice for new members goes, Hobden warns he was subject to many after-show reviews, which caused him to develop a policy.
“If I can interrupt people before they unload on me I’ll say ‘Tell you what, you tell me three things you liked about the concert and I’ll listen to your complaint,’” Hobden said. “They’ll get to about the third and start laughing and say they forgot what they were going to complain about.”
He noted that policy doesn’t work with everyone.
“Then there are others who cannot say anything positive to save their souls,” Hobden laughed.
He recalls a show with the Montreal Guitar Trio being one of the best received out of all the shows he’s attended, but of course it didn’t satisfy everyone.
“In all my time with Penticton Community Concerts, they got the longest standing ovation of any group that I can remember. The applause went on and on and they did three curtain calls, each with a standing ovation,” Hobden said.
“The next day I get a phone call from a lady who said, ‘I just want to tell you what a terrible concert that was.’ I said, ‘Did you listen to the applause they got? Don’t tell me it was a terrible concert,’” he laughed.
The board is looking for contributors of any kind as well as board members and is inviting the community out to the AGM.
For more information visit www.pentictoncommunityconcerts.com
