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On a 10-9 vote Monday, the orchestra's board of directors decided not to renew Mills' contract for the 2005-06 season. Roger Roslansky, president of the symphony board of directors, said Tuesday the board had been evaluating Mills' performance as a conductor and music director for the past three years.
In April, the board's executive committee recommended Mills not be rehired for the 2005-06 season, based on a musicians' survey, a consultant's recommendations and board members' concerns, Roslansky said. The board obviously was divided over whether to rehire Mills after her 10th season, he said.
Some board members claim there were voting irregularities at Monday's meeting because proxy votes were not allowed as previously agreed. Ken Riley, president of the Friends of the Symphony, said he could not attend the meeting and sent a representative to vote to retain Mills.
The Rev. J. Thomas Finucan was in Rome and could not attend as well but sent a letter of support for Mills.
"They did not count my vote or Father Finucan's vote, and I can't understand why when we decided earlier it would be allowed," Riley said. "What the board did was unconscionable."
Board member Mark Hostetter said he was shocked and upset by the board's decision.
"The vote would have been 11-10 with one abstention, and we would not be getting people upset over this," Hostetter said. "Let's take another look at this."
Hostetter, chairman of the orchestra's artistic committee, said he wants the board to reconsider its decision and rehire Mills, especially considering the majority of board members favor retaining her. He said Mills built a strong orchestra, record-sized audiences and overwhelming community support.
Roslansky said the musicians' survey indicated they were unhappy with Mills' tempos, musicality, some aspects of her leadership and rehearsal and ensemble practices. Mills was told last year about the musicians' concerns, he said.
Some musicians threatened to resign if Mills continued to be conductor.
Others believed it was time to have a new director after 10 years, Roslansky said.
"There was a lot of division and high emotions at Monday's meeting, and it was a narrow vote and could have gone either way," Roslansky said. "It's kind of a sad thing. There were a lot of strong feelings for Amy. Everyone liked her a lot."
He said "it could be conceivable" the board could reconsider its vote.
Mills said Tuesday she was aware of Monday's meeting but didn't know how the vote would go.
"I love the people of La Crosse and have thoroughly enjoyed my nine years with the symphony," Mills said. "I serve at the pleasure and joy of the board of directors, and I love the La Crosse Symphony organization.
"I'm really proud of the organization we have built," she said. "I'm not bitter or angry. I'm looking forward to a great season coming up, and I don't know what the future holds."
Mills said she has "artistic differences" with some musicians.
Mills has a doctoral degree in conducting from Catholic University and music degrees from Northwestern University. She was conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band and Chorus before coming to La Crosse in 1995 to replace Hugo Jan Huss.
Tim Kress, former symphony president and a member of the orchestra's artistic committee, said he was surprised with the board's decision because Mills has built strong support for the orchestra. "And certainly the symphony concerts under her direction have been as good as they have ever been," Kress said.
Roslansky said Mills was one of the most popular and effective public relations persons in her position.
"She did a wonderful job of building audiences, and she brought the orchestra quite a ways," Roslansky said. "We're hoping a new director will take us to a new level, and that's something the principal players felt strongly about."
Jean Hammons, a violinist and chair of the orchestra committee, said the orchestra musicians are grateful to Mills "for her contributions to our orchestra, particularly for her successes in recruiting more talented musicians, increasing the visibility of the orchestra in the community and growing our audience."
Hammons said musicians are looking forward to performing six exciting programs next season planned by Mills and the artistic committee. "Amy has worked hard and earned her popularity with our audience," she said.
Roslansky said a search committee will be formed soon to advertise for a new conductor. "We want to start quickly, because it could take two years," he said.
Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8227.
