Miscellany
...I've added some links to some of my favorite organizations, publications and blogs. Enjoy.
...A mixed day for my Philly ties:
Good news: The Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers 42-3. So nice to see the re-emergence of the Eagles' offense. Also, the Phillies are still in the N.L. wild-card race deep into the season. Usually they collapse right after the All-Star break...
Bad news: From the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Philadelphia Singers, one of Philadelphia's most important musical organizations, has announced the cancellation of half of the concert season. The Singers have provided many young singers like myself a chance to perform in a high level professional choral ensemble, gaining insight from experienced singers and conductors. The Philly Orchestra's decision to try to "upgrade" their image by only using the professional Singers and not Philly's talented amateur groups has hurt everyone: The Singers have sort of lost their place in Philadelphia's choral scene, becoming known primarily for their concerts with the Orchestra and not for their own interesting programs. Talented local amateur and college choral groups (including my alma mater Westminster Choir College) have lost the opportunity to perform with one of the greatest orchestras in America. Has the Orchestra really gained anything by only hiring professionals? Surely amateur groups can turn in good performances of major choral works. Amateurs tend to be better rehearsed and more willing to work anyway. Unfortunately the author of the Inquirer article has in his own way directly contributed to the difficulties with his relentless diatribes against the Singers' (and other local choral groups') concerts. I know critics should tell the "truth" as they see it, but is it right to literally criticize groups out of existence?
posted by SJZ @ 23:04
2 comments
2 Comments:
What "professionals" are the Philadelphia Orchestra going to work with now?
I lived in Philadelphia in the late 80's and sang with the Choral Arts Society in its heyday under Sean Deibler. We did many concerts with the Philly Orchestra, and also managed to keep up our own concert seasons. I haven't followed the scene there much recently, but in those days it seems like there was room for everyone: Choral Arts, Philly Singers, Mendelssohn Club, Music Group....
What has happened?
(Very nice blog, by the way. I'll be back.)
You are right about the Philly choral scene in the past: the Orchestra distributed the choral load evenly around the various amateur (or part professional) and collegiate groups. This worked very well but the orchestra decided to only work with the Singers. The other groups are still flourishing, however, they no longer sing with the Orchestra. The Orchestra will continue to use Philly Singers, it's just that the Singers' own concert series has been cut in half. Thanks for the comment.
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