DOS Orchestra #31 - 15 February, 1995

News from the world of professional orchestras.
Copyright 1995, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians

Topics

Ambassador Auditorium: Open or Closed?

Officials of Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena (CA) have said that a last-minute wave of public support for the facility may enable them to keep its doors open. Ambassador Auditorium, which is owned by the Worldwide Church of God, has hosted innumerable performances of classical music since it was built 21 years ago, including many performances by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Patrons have reportedly offered to help raise funds to keep the Ambassador open. David Hulme, the director of performing arts for the facility, told the Los Angeles "Daily News" that "if anything did happen [for next year], it would be an abbreviated season. I'm cautiously optimistic. There's a lot of discussion. We have to run down whether there's any substance to the offers [of support]. People are so upset about losing this beautiful venue, many of whom have been subscribers for 20 years."

The church announced last month that it could no longer afford to provide an annual subsidy of $2.5 million to the facility, which represents approximately half of the 1,200 seat hall's operating budget. According to hall officials, the church would continue to use the hall, which is on the church headquarter grounds, for Sunday services.

Bernstein Conducting Competition Announced

Jamie Bernstein Thomas, daughter of the late composer, pianist and conductor Leonard Bernstein, announced on February 8 that the first Leonard Bernstein international conducting competition would be held in Jerusalem in October 1995.

The competition will be open to all conductors between the ages of 24 and 37. Preliminary auditions will be held in June and July at the Tanglewood Center in Lenox (MA) and in Israel, London, Sapporo and Vienna. Up to 100 applicants will be selected for the preliminaries on the basis of videotapes. Juries at the preliminary auditions will select up to 16 candidates to participate in the final round in Jerusalem in October. The judges may pick any number of winners and the winners, who will each receive $25,000, will not be ranked. The winners will also receive assistance in developing opportunities to conduct and record.

The conducting competition is the first of three competitions to be held in a three-year cycle, the other two being a vocal competition in 1996 and a composition competition in 1997.

Buffalo Philharmonic: Executive Director to Stay

John E. Bauser, executive director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, has withdrawn his name from consideration to be hired as the executive director of the Florida Philharmonic.

William L. McHugh, chairman of the Buffalo Philharmonic board, announced on February 7 that he and Bauser are discussing a new contract that will keep Bauser for the next three years. McHugh said "we're delighted that John has affirmed his commitment to the Buffalo Philharmonic. We're confident that we many continue uninterrupted with our efforts to provide a stable future for the BPO."

Bauser told the musicians two weeks ago that he was a finalist for the position, although he had not sought the post. "The possibility of working with the Florida Philharmonic would have meant a significant professional advancement, [but] we have decided to stay in Buffalo so we can continue the good work we began a year ago, when I first joined the BPO."

The Buffalo Philharmonic has been buffeted by financial problems in the past few years, leading to the shutdown of the orchestra in May 1994 for the second time that season. Concerts were resumed in the fall after the musicians agreed to a further pay in pay and benefits.

Bauser began his career with the Florida Philharmonic as second trumpet and librarian. He came to Buffalo from the Dayton Philharmonic after then-executive director Michael Tiknis left Buffalo to become executive director of the San Diego Symphony.

The Florida Philharmonic, which has a budget slightly larger than the Buffalo orchestra, has been looking for an executive director since the resignation of William Vickery last October after approximately thirteen months with the orchestra.

Buffalo Philharmonic: State Funding Targeted

Governor George Pataki of New York has proposed eliminating $150,000 of state funding already committed to the Buffalo Philharmonic. The orchestra has already received $210,000 of the total grant of $360,000 approved by the legislature. Also proposed for elimination is $1 million promised for the renovation of the orchestra's home, Kleinhans Music Hall, part of a multiyear commitment of $5 million from the state towards the $12 million cost of the project.

The funds are part of $9 million in state grant money that had not been spent out of $80 million in programs submitted by individual legislators in the 1994-95 budget.

Spokespersons for Pataki denied that the motive behind the cuts was partisan politics, as some Democrats have suggested.

The cut would be "devastating" to the orchestra, Brain Jose, the orchestra's director of marketing and public relations, told the Buffalo "News."

Aides to Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said that he might intercede to try to save some of the proposed rescissions.

Other cuts in funds proposed by Pataki include $850,000 for the World University Games to be held in Buffalo, $150,000 for the Buffalo Museum of Science, and $70,000 for ArtPark.

Cleveland Orchestra: Kissin Cancels

The Cleveland Orchestra announced that pianist Evgeny Kissin canceled his performances with the orchestra over the weekend of February 10 due to illness. He was replaced by Peter Frankl.

Colorado Symphony: Principal Conductor Promoted

The Colorado Symphony has announced that Marin Alsop, the orchestra's principal conductor since 1993, has signed a two-year contract as music director, thus extending her tenure with the orchestra through 1997.

Alsop told the "Rocky Mountain News" that she viewed the move as a "big vote of confidence," which would "clarify any outside confusion about what's going on within the orchestras." She described the new title as "a product of a healthy working relationship with the musicians. Trust has been built."

Artistic power within the Colorado Symphony, successor to the defunct Denver Symphony Orchestra, is shared between the musicians of the orchestra and staff and board members.

Detroit Symphony: State Funding Spared for Now

Michigan Governor John Engler has proposed significantly overhauling the "state equity package" of arts and cultural funding for the city of Detroit. His proposal includes appointing a state arts council, appointed by himself, that could reallocate the money now earmarked for the Detroit Zoo and Historical Museum, as well as support for city police, for projects in other Michigan cities as well.

Engler proposed maintaining the current funding for the Detroit Symphony and the Detroit Institute of Arts. The orchestra currently receives $1.7 million annually as part of the state equity package.

Long Beach Civic Light Opera: Manager Promoted

The Long Beach Civic Light Opera has announced that interim executive director James Phillip Keene III was offered the post on a permanent basis on February 1 after a national search.

Since joining the company as a consultant, Keene has overseen several fundraising events that helped the CLO raise $490,000 to match funds provided by the city of Long Beach.

Keene is a California native who spent much of his career in Utah in advertising, film, and politics. He served as the president of the California Tourism Corporation from 1987 to 1994.

Shreveport Symphony: Music Director to Leave for Augsburg

from the management of the Shreveport Symphony, February 10:

Peter Leonard, Music Director of the Shreveport Symphony, has accepted the position of General Music Director of the City of Augsburg, Germany. Mr. Leonard will remain Music Director of the Shreveport Symphony next season (1995-96). The Symphony's Board of Directors will begin a search this spring for his replacement, whose work in Shreveport will begin in September 1996.

"We are very pleased for Peter and know that his position in Augsburg will bring him new and exciting challenges," said Robert G. Mogg, President of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra Board. "Peter has done a marvelous job in his eleven year tenure with our orchestra. His willingness to remain as Music Director for the 1995-96 season will provide artistic continuity during this period of transition. The Board will be instituting a national search for a new Music Director in the next six weeks."

In Augsburg, Peter Leonard will be responsible for a broad range of orchestral and operatic performances presented during a season which extends from September through June. He will also serve as Music Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Augsburg, which employs seventy-two full-time musicians. This orchestra presents a series of ten pairs of subscription concerts, along with an extensive range of educational and other concert offerings.

Mr. Leonard will conduct two or three new opera productions each season. He will also supervise the work of eight additional full-time conductors as they lead the rest of Augsburg's numerous other opera, ballet, choral and music theater productions. The annual operating budget for these activities is over $25 million.

Augsburg, a city with a 2,000+ year history, is noted in Europe for the high quality of its musical tradition. Among Mr. Leonard's predecessors in this position are Wolfgang Sawallisch (now Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra) and Istvan Kertesz. Mr. Leonard's appearances in Augsburg will commence in September 1995.

"It is with sadness that I think about leaving Shreveport. I have so many good friends here and I have loved living here," said Leonard. "But this is a rare opportunity. The large orchestral and operatic works of Wagner, Strauss and others are repertoire staples in Germany. This position will give me the chance to conduct many important works which are seldom played in the U.S."

St. Louis Symphony Appoints Creative Conductor

from the management of the St. Louis Symphony, February 7:

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra has appointed American conductor Marin Alsop to the newly established position of Creative Conductor Chair starting with the 1996-97 season. This post, which is an addition to the current SLSO conducting staff, was created by Maestro Hans Vonk, the orchestra's Music Director and Conductor Designate, whose recent appointment was announced on January 16, 1995. As Creative Conductor, Ms. Alsop will continue to build on the SLSO's established artistic profile, community programs, and subscription concert offerings.

Alsop's contract calls for a yearly minimum of two subscription concert sets and two to three non-subscription "creative weeks" in which she and the orchestra will collaborate in a variety of crossover, non-traditional jazz-oriented programs and other experimental concert formats.

Maestro Vonk felt that the orchestra needed to create a position that would complement many recent dramatic changes while pursuing the innovative goals of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. These changes include the establishment of the Saint Louis Symphony Community Music School, the groundbreaking Community Partnership Program, and the quickly expanding community outreach programs.

"I am very pleased to welcome Marin Alsop to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, and I look forward to our work together," stated Maestro Vonk. "I anticipate that our efforts will continue to build on the exceptional artistic success already achieved by this great orchestra while expanding our reach into the community. By focusing her creative energies Ms. Alsop will continue the orchestra's efforts to diversify its offerings and grow in new directions."

Ms. Alsop said, "I am honored to have been appointed to this position. I look forward to collaborating with Maestro Vonk, and am excited to join this excellent orchestra at such a pivotal time in its illustrious history."

"The appointment of Marin Alsop, with her excellent artistic and programming talents, ensures that the Symphony's long-range goals of new initiatives and experimentation of concert formats receive ongoing artistic consideration," stated Symphony Board Chairman Michael Neidorff.

Ms. Alsop is the Music Director of the Colorado Symphony where her highly successful and innovative programming over the past two seasons has drawn a great deal of interest and acclaim. In addition, after serving as Music Director of both the Long Island Philharmonic and the Eugene Symphony for six years, she will relinquish these positions at the end of the 1995-96 season. She currently is, and will continue to be, Artistic Director of two summer festivals: the Cabrillo Music Festival and Oregon's Festival of American Music.

Ms. Alsop is the founder and artistic director of the New York-based Concordia Orchestra, which she founded in 1984 with the specific aim of combining the classical repertory with 20th-century American works and jazz. An avid jazz violinist, she is also the founder and leader of "String Fever," a 14-piece swing band that is known for its distinctive blend of swing, pop, and jazz. String Fever's first CD release "Fever Pitch" is available on Koch International Classics.

With the Concordia Orchestra Ms. Alsop has recorded "Blue Monday," a CD of music by George Gershwin for Angel Records, and "Victory Stride" featuring the symphonic music of James P. Johnson for Music Masters Classics. Ms. Alsop and the orchestra also participate on an upcoming Warner Brothers release featuring Mark O'Connor.

In 1988 and 1989 Ms. Alsop was awarded the Leonard Bernstein Conducting Fellowship at the Tanglewood Music Festival. In 1989 she won the Koussevitsky Conducting Prize, and since then has quickly gained a reputation as one of America's finest young conductors.

Ms. Alsop's guest conducting engagements include the Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra and the Boston Pops. In 1993 she made her Canadian debut with the Vancouver Symphony, and her European debut at the Schleswig-Holstein Festival. She made her SLSO debut in January 1994, and will return to lead the June 9, 1995 Saint Louis Symphony Summerfest performance.

"Marin Alsop's diverse programming expertise and experience with jazz and contemporary music, as well as her command of the standard repertoire, provide fresh perspectives and directions for our current programs, and create myriad opportunities for artistic growth," stated SLSO Executive Director Bruce Coppock. "Ms. Alsop's drive, energy and inventive instincts will surely take the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in many new and exciting directions."

The Creative Conductor Chair is in addition to the positions held by David Loebel, who continues his duties as associate principal conductor and music director of Symphony Summerfest, and Resident Conductor Harvey Felder, who continues as music director of the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, the SLSO's IN UNISON(TM) program, and the educational concerts.
Copyright 1995, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians

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