Alderman George O. Kelley Sr. called on the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra yesterday to reconsider its decision not to renew the contract of music director Leslie B. Dunner.

"I think the community at large feels Mr. Dunner's contract not being renewed is a real loss," Kelley said, noting that he had been contacted by several city residents who support Dunner, the symphony's first African-American conductor, who is now in his fifth season. "I think Mr. Dunner's talent, his ability to work with people and his artistic style speaks for itself."

The ASO's board of trustees decided last month not to renew Dunner's contract for a sixth season.

Kelley, who said he will request a meeting with board President Fred H. Billups, said he wants the reasons why Dunner's contract was not renewed shared with the public.

Billups said yesterday that the board is concerned about a decline in symphony subscriptions during the past five years.

But he said there are "a whole range of reasons" why the board did not renew Dunner's contract - reasons he said are not appropriate to make public because the matter is a personnel issue. Billups said the board will not reconsider its decision to release Dunner, whose contract ends June 30.

"Our decision is made," he said. "We are right now in the process of developing our search committee and the search process and are lining up guest conductors for the new year."