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Orchestras Struggle for Relevance in a Culture of Shifting Values

Paul Kotapish on June 17, 2016
Marin Alsop conducting the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra | Credit: Bruno Vessiez

Anne Midgette of The Washington Post reports on the range of issues that emerged at the annual conference of the League of American Orchestras in Baltimore last week. Diversity was the big topic, and the glaring disparity between the overwhelmingly Caucasian orchestra world and American culture as a whole challenged some members to rethink long-held suppositions and consider slaying a few sacred cows. As conductor Marin Alsop stated it, “We need to ask ourselves if artistic excellence is the ultimate goal. Other things may be more important.”

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