Janos Gereben

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman (who is stepping down at the end of the calendar year) has announced that the Association of California Symphony Orchestras is recommended for a $30,000 grant to support professional and leadership development and technical assistance programs for California orchestras.

Among ACSO members receiving NEA grants:

Mike Boehm, of The Los Angeles Times, reports that Gustavo Dudamel — the Philharmonic's music director, Musician of the Year for 2013 according to Musical America, and visitor to Berkeley last week — received just under $1 million in salary and benefits for 2010, his first full year on the job.

West Edge Opera is looking for a part-time executive director "to help build a program of exciting opera and service to the community. You will have opportunities to play an important role in fundraising and to help us strengthen all staff positions as the company grows." Good luck!

The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, through the League of American Orchestras, has given 22 grants to American orchestras, rewarding their "response to community needs through educational, health and wellness, social service, and neighborhood residency programs."

As Herbst Theatre is getting ready for

Sonos Handbell Ensemble is g

Pacific Musical Society annual fund-raising gala on Dec. 2, in the Westin St. Francis Hotel, will honor composer Jake Heggie. The 102-year-old Society's gala will present a program of Heggie songs performed by Frederica von Stade and Nicolle Foland, with Heggie at the piano. Arias and duets by Dvořák, Mozart, and Offenbach follow.

Although Frederica von Stade has given farewell appearances, she is active as ever — just rarely