Welcome to my new blog! I am so excited to have this opportunity to tell you all about the happenings at the SWFLSO throughout the season. We will also talk about music, the orchestra world, life in general, etc. You will also have the chance to respond and please feel free to do so. All you have to do is click on the comment link at the bottom of the blog and follow the prompts. It's easy. And I can even comment on your comments. My hope is this will be an outlet for all of you to express your feelings about your orchestra.
Well, let's get the ball rolling. Tell me what you are most looking forward to next season. If you are brand new to the Symphony, a huge welcome to you. I also want to hear your thoughts, like why it took you so long to join us. :)
Michael
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28 comments:
Thanks for starting this, Michael, but where is everybody?
I do look forward to the Grieg Piano Concerto, but I can't hear that without imagining the old Morecambe and Wise comedy show when "Andrew Preview" (Previn) guested and conducted Eric and the BBC orchestra. Remembering Eric Morecambe vamping the first few bars of the theme I hope I'm able to listen without laughing out loud on Nov. 22!
Well, that's my very first blog comment. Over to everyone else now.
Oh, they'll get here sooner or later.
I looked up the skit on youtube. It is hilarious. "Should we call up Greig?" "You might not get him, he could be out skiing."
I'll have to get the way he played it out of my mind before we perform it.
Keeping the humorous tone, did you catch this cute take on a medley of John Williams' themes? Now I have some lyrics to pin to Star Wars, etc. Don't think we should turn our concert into a sing-along though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4
You see, that's perfect for our Pops 3 concert! Split the audience into 4 sections....
Here is the link to the Morecambe and Wise for those who want to see it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP8TUe993uo
Dear Maestro Hall,
What are your feelings on Opera? Would you consider a special guest singer?
In the meantime... thought you'd enjoy this clip! LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUTesgz6lko
What a smashing opening concert! If I was laughing during the Grieg it was in pure delight. To my ears the performance was absolutely perfect.
Congrats to the whole team.
Hi Otter (if that's your real name :)
It would be fun to do an opera night again in the future. We did one last season, as a matter of fact,with singers from the Julliard School.
Thanks for the link. I am always on the lookout for good bands.
My family attended your "Very Merry Pops" last night and I just have to say, there wasn't very much "merry" to this program. I thought the first half of this presentation was dismal and depressing. The second half was only marginally better. Whats wrong with joyful, uplifting and traditional? And what about that childrens chorus? Do these children not know how to perform anything that's happy? I took my grandchildren to instill some culture and holiday spirit in them. I would have to say that this concert was probably counterproductive. I doubt they will want to attend another event like this again. Or is this the plan? I noticed that there were very few children in attendance and those that were, were asleep or restless. As future patrons, they deserve better.
The orchestra was good, as was the chorus but the real saving grace of the evening was the Irish dancers.
GREAT SHOW! Yes, the children smiled the most during the last song, which was more of a children's song (from a teacher's perspective). EXCELLENT variation of music, song, and dance!
A reply to "Anonymous said." How sad for this person and family. We attended church on the Sunday after the Holiday Pops Saturday performance and were over-whelmed with the audience reaction. Wonderful!! If fact those who did not attend planned to get tickets and go that Sunday. The program was well rounded, upbeat and just fun. The best Holiday Pops yet!!
While I, too, thought the first anonymous comment to the Holiday Pops was sad, I have to admit that the songs chosen for the children's chorus and the soloist in the first half were far from being "Very Merry". They would have been better choices for a Stained Glass concert, perhaps.
And here's a New Year wish: can someone think of a new costume for the children? The "waiter's outfit" just doesn't seem to fit any of them. Maybe just a turtle-neck and a knee-length skirt with some drape/stretch to the fabric. Did all the boys leave?
When Carl Topilow began doing the Holiday Pops concerts they were magical and pretty much the most fun concerts ever. Then Mr. Topilow left, and since then the Holiday Pops concerts have resumed their underwhelming performances. Could you please bring back the magic?
I look forward every year to the Holiday Pops Concert. Each year it's been a nice balance of a traditional first half and more lighthearted second half. The orchestra and choruses are so finely prepared and professional, and each year's special additions make each unique. The Irish dancers were an exceptional troupe and great fun! Thank you for another terrific performance and memorable part of our holiday season.
Not very merry? What about 'Joy to the World', 'Deck the Hall', 'Sleigh Ride', 'Jingle Bells', and 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'? Add to that a fantastic Celtic Dance Troupe, a Juilliard Opera Soprano, and the finest children's chorus in SWFL (who sang traditional Hannaukah carols). It was once again the most professional holiday concert in the area. There were comedy moments from the conductor and orchestra, familiar and new songs & carols, inclusion of the Hebrew faith, a beautifully decorated stage, and toy drive in the lobby. Kudos to Maestro Caulkins and the entire organization for giving our community this excellent gift each year.
I'll tell you what I love? People beginning to blog on our website. We wanted to give our audience a chance to talk about whatever they want to talk about. Keep the comments coming!
So let me weigh in.
You can't please everyone in your audience but we take everyone's comments, good and bad, very seriously. These concerts are for you.
I did not see the show, I was conducting in Tucson, so I have no comment. But I know that allot of planning goes into a show like this, and I know from experience that some years flow better than others. I have done a Holiday concert in Tuscon for the last three years, and from experience, some pieces that you think will work don't and visa versa.
Not every piece will work for everyone, but we hope that, on the whole, you will enjoy our concerts.
Must there be all of that dreadful singing? We have professional musicians that are unfortunately forced to share the stage with lesser singers. Feature the musicians and forget the singing.
Michael,
Realizing that 'blogs' are very popular, in creating this forum you have given voice and validity to a poorly informed public who comment without regard to the organization and those who put in great effort toward a professional product and positive image.
The continuation of this blog forum should be deeply considered by your organizational leadership.
I see it differently. I want to have an open a forum as possible. People will have negative opinions, even unfounded negative opinions, but that is not going to make me question the value of what we offer. It does us no good to be insular. We have to move into a new era and allow our patrons to talk to us. If we get some off the wall negative comments, that won't bother me.
I am not concerned with the nay-sayers. I am concerned with opening up the symphony to new people and to people who have legitimate things to say, good and bad.
Here Here Maestro!!
I agree with you whole heartedly.
And here I am as post number 20!
There is no need for Anonymous to worry about your blog - or to blame differing opinions on ignorance. He's not the only one who understands good music when they hear it!
In these economic times creating relevance for a symphony is key,and moving it forward with your fantastic website, video clips and blog are a very welcome addition for obviously the majority of your web surfers.
Continue your innovations both in your programming and in your performance!!
Thanks for all your hard work!
Otter ;)
Really enjoyed singing the Poulenc Gloria with the chorus last weekend.Michelle the soloist has a lovely voice - it gets better every time she sings with us. But where was the organ in the organ symphony? It was underwhelming. Thank goodness the brass more than made up for it -- they were fantastic! As was the rest of the orchestra. Does anyone have some "pull" to get a decent organ for the hall?
Chorusgal,
Actually, the organ itself is a great instrument. At the dress rehearsal, it sounded glorious. I am afraid the sound people at Barbara B Mann had technical difficulties patching the organ sound into the hall during the concerts. It was very disappointing I agree. This should not have happened. But I hope that the energy with which the musicians performed somewhat made up for it. And bravo to you and to all the chorus.
If you want something done, ask the busiest person and it shall be done.....I realize you are a very busy man and have had many suggestions but that won't keep me from making one.
You have the Leonard Bernstein Saturday afternoon TV performance with the young people(Yes I gave it to you but don't get carried away!!We desperately need our young people to carry on the wonderful world of classical music and todays young peoples auditions show some wonderful talent out there.
Suggestion. Expensive but what a wonderful way to reach those young people who don't or can't go to or listen to classical concerts. Isn't there someway you can carry on Bersnstein's wonderful Saturday afternoon tradition.My children sat in front of the TV watching Bernstein on Saturday----just think of how wonderful it would be to do this for todays children.
Hi Michael!
We here in Tucson enjoyed your Christmas visit once again this year. Someday you’ll win that car, I know it! I sing in the TSO Chorus (alto, row 3) and I thought I would join your discussion about the future of classical music.
I have been involved in public education for over 20 years. For 12 years I taught general music in grades K-5 and for the last 10 years I have been teaching first grade. With kids – the answer is easy! You can’t love what you don’t know. I rarely come across a child who doesn’t love the music I introduce in my classroom. This fall we’ve enjoyed Danse Macabre, The Hall of the Mountain King, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
(Great New Recording = The Sorcerer's Apprentice
London Philharmonic Orchestra;Stephen Simon;conductor;Yadu;narrator) and The Nutcracker. A little Mozart, Bach and Beethoven. They love it all! In the spring I plan to introduce the instruments of the orchestra. That’s when I get comments like, “I love the bassoon!” which make it all worthwhile.
I can add all of this music to my curriculum because I already know it and love it myself. These days there are very few places left with music specialists in the schools or beginning bands or orchestras. I moved into the classroom after having my music position threatened one too many times. Most classroom teachers are not comfortable at all teaching music. Many of these teachers have had very little music education themselves. I believe most teachers will agree that children need some form of music education.
What we need is something so easy that the average classroom teacher can do it. There you go. Keep it simple. I have lots of ideas for an elementary music curriculum. You have an orchestra! We should brainstorm.
Pam in Tucson
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