ROCHESTER, N.Y.—For the typical orchestra, commissioning, acquiring, rehearsing and performing contemporary concert music is a complex process—it’s more expensive to produce, requires longer rehearsal time and is harder to sell to established audiences, which leads to a disconnect between professional orchestral musicians and composers. Why does this disconnect exist? Does it have to be this way? What can be done to create better harmony between the two groups?
During a five-day virtual discussion panel beginning Monday, June 19 on Polyphonic.org, an eight-member panel made up of composers and professional orchestral musicians will tackle these questions and begin a dialogue that explores non-traditional methods for improving relations between these groups. (The panelists’ remarks and comments posted by those taking part in the discussion will be available to view on the site after the discussion concludes.)
Designed as a dynamic, interactive environment, the virtual panel discussion offers Polyphonic.org visitors the opportunity to interact with the panelists by sharing their own observations and posing questions to panelists by posting comments throughout the duration of the discussion (registration is required to post comments). Polyphonic.org Senior Editor and Research Principal Drew McManus will moderate the online discussion utilizing an exclusive online format designed especially for the site.
Joining McManus on the panel are:
- Lisa Bielawa, Composer
- Jennifer Higdon, Composer
- Robert Levine, Principal Violist, Milwaukee Symphony
- Barbara Scowcroft, First Violin, Utah Symphony and Music Director, Utah Youth Symphony
- Molly Sheridan, Managing Editor, American Music Center’s New Music Box
- Roberto Sierra, Composer
- Christopher Theofanidis, Composer
- Chris Woerh, Assistant Principal Violist, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Composer
To take part in the discussion, visitors to the site can click the “Discussion Panel” graphic found on the home page of Polyphonic.org. Opening remarks and subsequent contributions by panelists as well as registered members’ comments will appear throughout the week.
What: “Composition Matters,” a Virtual Discussion Panel on Polyphonic.org
When: June 19 – 23
Where: www.Polyphonic.org
Also currently addressing this issue is American Music Center’s New Music Box. Video and transcripts of Orchestra Summit 2006, in which McManus, Levine and Theofanidis also take part, can be viewed at http://newmusicbox.com through this month.
Launched in April 2006, Polyphonic.org is a comprehensive online resource dedicated to professional orchestral musicians. The site offers a range of professional development services and informational resources to help career musicians realize professional growth, personal fulfillment, career advancement, job satisfaction, better participate in their organizations and become effective stakeholders in their respective ensembles. The site includes news, feature articles and interviews—some in streaming video format—on topics such as professional development, entrepreneurship, the business of orchestras and health and injury prevention. Also found on the site are profiles of American orchestras featuring exclusive interviews with their artistic and executive leaders, daily news feeds from ArtsJournal.com, portals to other websites relating to the interests of orchestral musicians, interactive discussion features and the ability to contribute articles and comments.
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Please Note: The panelists’ remarks and comments posted by those taking part in the discussion will be available to view on the site after the discussion concludes.