CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Tears flowed. Paul Helfrich felt a great sense of accomplishment when he heard the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra play in the Clay Center for the first time.

"It was amazing. Getting the orchestra into the Clay Center would certainly be my personal choice for my biggest accomplishment here," said Helfrich, who is leaving as executive director of the orchestra to become president of the Dayton (Ohio) Philharmonic Orchestra.

"I had been in talks with John McClaugherty and Tom Conlin about the move to the new hall for a long time and it was certainly a highlight to hear them that first time."

The late McClaugherty, former president of the orchestra board, and former conductor Conlin were but two of the people Helfrich credits with the growth of the orchestra.

"We have had overall growth in our staff, and that has helped us to grow the orchestra in a way that further serves our community. I'm proud of where we are: We've gotten the pops series on its feet, which is something I tackled in the first couple of years I was here. The first series was in February of 1998, and it has had more longevity than many other efforts that have been tried," Helfrich, 45, said. Helfrich was with the Erie (Pa.) Philharmonic prior to joining the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

He credits the continued growth of the organization with a strong board, dedicated volunteers and talented musicians.

Symphony Board President Pat Bond was asked what has changed since Helfrich took over. He quickly replied, "Everything!"

"The venue, the program, our staff and budget and the number of concerts has expanded," Bond said. "Paul has managed us through some tight financial times, and he has been instrumental in getting this endowment recapitalization campaign going."

The fund is now at $6.5 million, and a $1 million challenge grant will kick in when the fund gets to $7 million, which will take the fund to its goal of $8 million.

Kathy Bush, development director for the Symphony, said Helfrich's reach is broad.

"He's everywhere. He's reached out to West Virginia Public Radio, the Charleston Ballet, Appalachian Children's Chorus, all of the places where the orchestra does run-out concerts," Bush said. "And his skill set is just as broad. He understands music and musicians, he has a keen business sense, and he has strong fundraising skills. He understands that an orchestra lives with its fundraising."

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will host an audience-wide reception in Helfrich's honor following the concert on Saturday, his last day with the organization. Bush said everyone is sad to see him leave - the musicians, the board, the staff and many others are hosting celebrations in his honor. "And he deserves all of it. He's leaving the orchestra a very different organization than it was 12 years ago."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Tears flowed. Paul Helfrich felt a great sense of accomplishment when he heard the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra play in the Clay Center for the first time.

"It was amazing. Getting the orchestra into the Clay Center would certainly be my personal choice for my biggest accomplishment here," said Helfrich, who is leaving as executive director of the orchestra to become president of the Dayton (Ohio) Philharmonic Orchestra.

"I had been in talks with John McClaugherty and Tom Conlin about the move to the new hall for a long time and it was certainly a highlight to hear them that first time."

The late McClaugherty, former president of the orchestra board, and former conductor Conlin were but two of the people Helfrich credits with the growth of the orchestra.

"We have had overall growth in our staff, and that has helped us to grow the orchestra in a way that further serves our community. I'm proud of where we are: We've gotten the pops series on its feet, which is something I tackled in the first couple of years I was here. The first series was in February of 1998, and it has had more longevity than many other efforts that have been tried," Helfrich, 45, said. Helfrich was with the Erie (Pa.) Philharmonic prior to joining the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

He credits the continued growth of the organization with a strong board, dedicated volunteers and talented musicians.

Symphony Board President Pat Bond was asked what has changed since Helfrich took over. He quickly replied, "Everything!"

"The venue, the program, our staff and budget and the number of concerts has expanded," Bond said. "Paul has managed us through some tight financial times, and he has been instrumental in getting this endowment recapitalization campaign going."

The fund is now at $6.5 million, and a $1 million challenge grant will kick in when the fund gets to $7 million, which will take the fund to its goal of $8 million.

Kathy Bush, development director for the Symphony, said Helfrich's reach is broad.

"He's everywhere. He's reached out to West Virginia Public Radio, the Charleston Ballet, Appalachian Children's Chorus, all of the places where the orchestra does run-out concerts," Bush said. "And his skill set is just as broad. He understands music and musicians, he has a keen business sense, and he has strong fundraising skills. He understands that an orchestra lives with its fundraising."

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will host an audience-wide reception in Helfrich's honor following the concert on Saturday, his last day with the organization. Bush said everyone is sad to see him leave - the musicians, the board, the staff and many others are hosting celebrations in his honor. "And he deserves all of it. He's leaving the orchestra a very different organization than it was 12 years ago."

Bush and Bond both pointed out that Helfrich, always ahead of schedule in planning, has left the group in good shape while his successor is found.

Bond said the time frame for the new manager's selection depends on two factors. The search committee must make a decision about using a search consultant, and decide whether an interim director will be needed. The search will be conducted nationwide.

Jack Canfield, emeritus member of the Symphony board of directors and a member of the search committee that hired Helfrich, also serves on the committee to find his replacement.

"I think the word 'multitasking' was invented to describe Paul. I've never worked with anyone as able to do so many things so well at one time - and keep everyone on board and on track.

"One of the best things about Paul is just that he's a really nice, down-to-earth guy. Yes, he's professionally competent. But he and his wife, Geane, and their boys fit Charleston like a glove. And while we're happy for his move up, it's hard to let him go."

Other high points from Helfrich's tenure with the orchestra include the success of the Family Series and the overall growth of the education program.

"A grant from the Segal/Davis Foundation allowed us to do our first interactive CD-ROM, and we've expanded the Young People's Concerts in the number of grades as well as in the geographic reach," he said. The growth was done intelligently, "never losing sight of the community needs."

What characteristics will the new director need for the job?

"You have to have a level of comfort with all of these different things," Helfrich said. "You have to like working with musicians. You have to like selling things, marketing things. You have to like business. It's the whole shooting match."

Reach Sara Busse

at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com

or 348-5195.