Ten years ago, when the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra hired Pamela Chaconas as its first director of education, neither could have envisioned what her "part-time job" would become.
A former elementary school teacher with a passion for symphonic music and a dedication to bringing it to children, Chaconas created an ASO education program that rivals that of larger, more generously funded orchestras. Stepping down this week as education director, Chaconas leaves a comprehensive program that might require a pair of full-time staffers to ensure its continuance.
"Pam Chaconas hasn't ever seemed to know what part time is, as she has gone about doing an exceptional job that built a foundation for ASO's future," said Bud Billups, ASO board chairman.
Said board member Forbes Leland: "Pam leads by example, with so much energy and enthusiasm that it's contagious. She draws support not only from the trustees, but from the entire community. You can't help following her lead."
Chaconas, 53, lives in Annapolis with her husband of 27 years, physician James Chaconas, who has found time to assist at youth concerts, lend carpentry skills building puppet stages or violin stands and, most recently, to boost sales of raffle tickets for the symphony's "Painted Violin" fund-raiser.
In developing the ASO's education concerts, Chaconas prepared extensive educational materials to welcome an expanding audience of children at two annual family and education concerts.
Later, she created programs such as the traveling music van to transport orchestra musicians each spring to third-grade classes, introducing children to musical instruments.
The music van program encouraged record numbers of children to sign up for music instruction, soon creating an instrument shortage that motivated Chaconas to initiate another program -- an instrument drive that has secured hundreds of instruments for children who otherwise could not have participated in their schools' music programs.
She has instituted outreach programs such as adopt-a-school, in which ASO musicians and soloists visit nearby schools to bring the children concert previews.
And for adults, she began a free preconcert lecture program featuring musicologist and concert pianist Rachel Franklin.
This spring, Chaconas launched an innovative fund-raising project -- the Painted Violins -- in partnership with 10 local artists. Transformed into distinctive works of art, the 10 violins -- which were raffled off Monday -- were exhibited in 18 venues throughout the county and traveled to Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum for a brief show.
The project brought in $45,000, far and away the most successful fund-raiser in ASO history.
"Although Pam's high level of energy is admirable, it can sometimes wear you out, like when we schlepped the violins to Owings Mills for Maryland Public Television's new show ArtWorks This Week, where Pam spread her violin message far beyond Anne Arundel County," said Thea Pinskey, ASO board member and education committee chairwoman.
Chaconas is certain to be missed, symphony officials say.
"Pam's vitality and urgency of commitment is hard to duplicate," said music director Leslie B. Dunner. "Her love of ASO and what she contributes can never be replaced."