Pacific Symphony Women’s History: The Instrumental Role of Marcy Arroues Mulville in Shaping Pacific Symphony
The women of Pacific Symphony have been absolutely vital in orchestrating the symphony’s community impact (pun intended). Hundreds of women, from staff members and board members to donors and volunteers, have come together to bring live orchestral music to Orange County. With the resilience, empathy, innovation, and dedication of this community of women, Pacific Symphony can operate programs like the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles, arts-X-press, Class Act, Heartstrings, and many more opportunities for education and connection through music.
During this Women’s History Month, we revisit the stories of the inspiring life of Marcelina “Marcy” Arroues Mulville, who was a pivotal figure in the early development of Pacific Symphony. Marcy was deeply involved in the Symphony – she actively recruited other dedicated supporters and helped establish a strong foundation for the Symphony’s long-term sustainability. As part of her mission, she also championed educational programs and initiatives that connected local organizations and schools with Pacific Symphony.
Marcy Arroues Mulville grew up in Fullerton on a citrus ranch. She studied violin through high school and at USC, then taught junior high for 15 years. In 1946, after her father passed away, she took over the family ranch. She eventually developed the homestead into a town-home complex, where she lived and where she died. Her husband, Maurice Mulville, who died in 1995, was a surgeon who worked at St. Jude Medical Center.
She had many other organizations that occupied her time even outside of the outstanding work she did for Pacific Symphony. Marcy was the choir director for St. Mary’s Church in Fullerton for 35 years, and a board member of the Orange County Performing Arts Center for several years. She was also the 1962 Fullerton Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year, the 1975 Southern California Beautiful Activist Award recipient, and the winner of the 1982 North County YWCA Volunteer Community Service Award. She was active in the Assistance League of Fullerton, the founder and president of Las Campanas of Orange County, and a member of the Disneyland Award Committee. Marcy was smart, organized, energetic, persuasive, and so much more. Marcy’s niece remarked that if she wanted to reach Marcy, she needed to call after 11 p.m. when Marcy had finally returned from her many social engagements.
Marcy passed away at age 90 in 2001 after battling cancer in the later years of her life. Pacific Symphony’s Music Director Laureate, Carl St.Clair (pictured left) said, “She had, even in her last days, many thoughts and ideas about the orchestra and its brilliant future. She was, and will always remain, Pacific Symphony’s guardian angel.” In 1992, Marcy was named Chairman Emeritus. Louis G. Spisto (executive director of Pacific Symphony from 1987-1997) said, “Marcy believed in the orchestra when it wasn’t fashionable to believe in the orchestra,” and credited her for helping to establish a level of credibility among the leadership of Orange County. It was Marcy’s dream to have a fine symphony orchestra in Orange County – she started the Orange County Symphony first in 1962, but the community was not quite ready to support this orchestra as well as the LA Philharmonic until 1978, when the county’s population had surpassed 1 million and Pacific Symphony was formed. Marcy Arroues Melville was a remarkably inspiring woman who was instrumental in the formation and flourishing of Pacific Symphony.
We honor her passing not only during Women’s History Month but also through the Marcy Arroues Mulville Legacy Society.
“The Marcy Arroues Mulville Legacy Society recognizes and honors those who follow in the footsteps of Marcy Arroues Mulville, a visionary who helped found Pacific Symphony in 1978 and was instrumental in sustaining it during its critical, early years. Today, donors who generously make provisions to support Pacific Symphony in their wills, trusts, financial plans, or other planned gifts, as Marcy Arroues Mulville did, are eligible to join this special group, so we encourage all eligible donors to join by notifying us of your planned gift.”
For more information about the Marcy Arroues Mulville Legacy Society or to discuss planned giving opportunities, contact Alice Tutunjian, Director of Major Gifts & Legacy Planning at atutunjian@pacificsymphony.org or (714) 876-2383.
