Which Path to the Future?
Charles Noble maintains a blog at www.nobleviola.com/wordpress. The following article was written in response to a recent article online at www.crosscut.com, suggestively titled “Can anybody fix the Oregon Symphony?”
It seems a bit like shooting fish in a barrel to take aim at a symphony orchestra by highlighting everything that one thinks is wrong with it, especially financially. It’s also easy to take aim at programming: local critics have decried the Oregon Symphony for programming too conservatively, and then complained that unfamiliar programming was alienating audiences. This is neither constructive nor consistent.
Recently, an online article attacked the idea of partnering with Pink Martini founder Thomas Lauderdale as a strategy for increasing the reach and draw of the OSO in the community. This criticism is ridiculous, simply because this is the very sort of strategy that was not undertaken in years past, and also because it’s a proactive attempt to fix the root of the problem, and not simply apply a band-aid and hope it will go away. But no credit was given for taking a prudent and long overdue course of action. What is more, if this hadn’t been done, the cries of “dinosaur!” would ring from the rooftops, most likely with knowing mentions of what a force Lauderdale is, and why didn’t the orchestra tap his potential to pull new and existing audiences back into the concert hall?
There are no simple solutions in the world of classical music. Orchestras of every size, age and level of prestige are facing the same set of challenges. Rash and ill-considered actions can doom an organization which relies so heavily on year-to-year support from donors and ticket buyers. You, as loyal concert goers and supporters of the Oregon Symphony, know this very well. If you are offended or displeased, you rightly vote with your feet and take your wallets with you, and it takes years to re-earn your trust.
So, what should happen in the next few months? I’d like to see a wide-ranging discussion of possible solutions - with frank discussions of the problems included. I’d like to see a range of current and potential donors engage in a forum to talk about what their impressions of the symphony’s problems are, what they see as possible solutions, AND what they see as already being done right. I’d like to see citizens, business people and arts patrons of the Portland metro area come together to discuss whether or not the Oregon Symphony is an institution that is a vital part of an increasingly cosmopolitan and sophisticated cultural center - and what the community stands to lose if the orchestra ceases to be a full-time professional ensemble of 86 of the finest musicians from around the country and the world.
The Oregon Symphony is worth the discussion.
Charles Noble
Assistant Principal Viola
