PITTSBURGH - As part of an eighty million dollar fund drive campaign, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will begin taking extended breaks during performances to ask patrons to pledge their financial support. The pledge breaks will be hosted from the Heinz Hall stage by WQED's Nancy Polinsky and Chris Fennimore. They will last anywhere from ten to twenty minutes in length, and will occur at various times throughout the concert. A phone bank will be set up behind the orchestra to handle calls from the audience during the duration of the break. They will continue to accept calls even after the orchestra resumes playing. "Now, at least, when people hear phones ringing during a concert, they'll know that someone in the audience is doing their part to ensure that this kind of music remains available," said Ms. Polinsky. "Won't you consider joining them?" asked Mr. Fennimore. "Call now. Volunteers are standing by." PSO Board Chairman Richard Simmons said the pledge drive was an absolute necessity. "Right now, we play in one of the oldest venues around." Simmons said the money raised would be used for capital improvements to Heinz Hall, including the installation of luxury boxes and a Jumbotron. "I spoke with WQED President George Miles, and he convinced me that this was the way to go," said Simmons. "George assured me he's never heard a single complaint about pledge drives."
