08. June 2011 · Comments Off on Vancouver Symphony (in southwest Washington) In Trouble? · Categories: Read Online
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says it must raise $100,000 this month or close
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra says it won’t make it to its 33rd season unless it can raise $100,000 by the end of the month.
The symphony – the largest performing arts organization in Southwest Washington – relies on donations to cover its costs, the majority of which go toward paying its staff and musicians. But donations have slowed over the past three years, and the symphony has burned through its emergency reserves.
ViolaGate! Mini-riot erupts during piece for viola and electronics
Well, perhaps not rioting, but there was some pretty spirited heckling during JHNO’s performance at last night’s Longer Burning concert at The Royce Gallery presented by Pamela Z. Details are sketchy, but apparently in the middle of a rather loudly amplified piece, two audience members started complaining about the music even more loudly. One started applauding ironically in an effort to get him to stop playing, the other was less subtle and just yelled out “stop”. One audience member in attendance claims that the hecklers went as far to shout “This is a DESECRATION! I am a REAL violist and I can tell you THIS IS NOT MUSIC!”
Read the whole thing and then be sure and read all the comments as well, as all involved have their say.
I wasn’t there. I can’t speak a word about what happened. I can tell you I can’t handle certain amplification; it hurts my ears — especially the damaged one — more than anyone with two good ears can possibly imagine. Warnings should always be given, as should earplugs if there is a possibility of hearing damage. But no, I’d never yell. Not in my nature! And my discomfort doesn’t mean I get to ruin things for others.
(It’s also rather doubtful that I would have attended the concert in the first place; I’m sorry, but it’s just not my cuppa. I suspect it would fall under my MusicTomato™ description.)
It does bring back the John Cage memory, though. He was conducting San Jose Symphony (RIP) and boy did the audience get upset. He didn’t throw anything down in frustration, though. He enjoyed ever minute of it! To him, the reaction was probably just another part of the piece.
Robin writes about the lupophon on his blog, and you can read the wikipedia entry here. And, well, you know me! I had to look it up on YouTube so I could hear what it sounds like (go in to about 1:05 to hear it):
But I still have to ask … what does it sound like?!
The thing about music such as this is that I’m not sure if that’s really how the instrument sounds when played “normally” (can’t think of a better word … sorry!), or if all of this is special technique stuff.
I struggle with a lot of music that sounds like this. I guess it bugs me that I don’t need a good reed, for one thing, and I don’t really even have to concern myself with right and wrong notes. It doesn’t move me in any way, either. I’m not about to say it’s awful music; I don’t feel as if I can judge that. My ears can’t hear it as music, but I was born with 1950s ears. Perhaps some newer ears will hear it differently. Perhaps some other ears find it incredibly moving. Or is it all about the intellectual? I honestly don’t know!
I don’t like tomatoes. Dan has handed me homegrown ones to try, so we can’t blame it on the not-so-great store bought stuff. A few years back he handed me one he had just picked, fresh from the garden, while saying, “If you don’t like THIS, you just don’t like tomatoes!” I didn’t like it. So … yeah … maybe this music is my MusicTomato™.
Here’s another video showing the instrument (at the start of the video):
The collaboration involves 5th grade students in Beloit, the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra, and Beloit Cable Access.
The goal was to provide the music background for a claymation video produced by a Beloit College student. Once the kids created the music, Rob Tomaro of the Beloit Symphony Orchestra wrote the score while the orchestra performed the piece.
Dave Knutson of Beloit Cable Access submitted a documentary of the process to the Wisconsin Association of PEG channels and won the “achievement of excellence” award.
Looking for an OBOE. Would anyone like to get rid of an oboe suitable for a student / beginner? I’d rather not buy or rent a good one one, as I’m not sure if my daughter will stick with it, and music stores, Craigslist and the paper are selling only good, more expensive ones. Sens me a message !! THANKS .
I came across a young woman last week who works as a school secretary. She said, “I love going to the symphony concerts, I try to go to both concerts our symphony offers in a week so I can hear the music twice and learn better how to enjoy a program on the second hearing.”
Purchases through these links help fund the cost of the blog. Thank you very much!
Oboe sheet music for beginners to experts. Solos, ensembles, play alongs, and methods at Sheet Music Plus.
Hear Me At Work
Here are just a few recordings from the past. It's rare I have anything I'm allowed to share, due to union rules.
