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Many consider the Riverside County Philharmonic to be the area’s foremost cultural institution. But it’s never faced a season like it’s current one.

The orchestra’s colorful conductor and music director, Patrick Flynn, died suddenly before the season’s first concert. And there are the fund raising problems created by the present recession.

But Connie Bailey, chairwoman of the Philharmonic’s planning and search committees, tells Arts and Entertainment Editor Bob Sokolsky that things are moving along smoothly.

Bailey says guest conductors will lead the orchestra for this season and in 2010. And, she adds, “We’re looking for somebody who can take us to the next (musical) level.”

The Philharmonic concludes its current season April 4 at Municipal Auditorium with a program that includes selections from Mozart and Vivaldi.