Issue: December 2019
A Shared Sing-along In October, the Kansas City Symphony premiered a new work for children’s chorus and orchestra at a series of Young People’s Concerts and the sensory friendly concert Postcards from the Americas. The orchestra’s principal music librarian, Elena Lence Talley, personally commissioned “Come and Sing a Song with Me” from composer Gary Fry. Talley commissioned the work, with … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2018
On the early evening of October 19, 2017, my son Conrad was able to attend his first concert in the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts. Being a retired member of the symphony, it was like a warm homecoming for me, but it was a special and touching moment for our family. Conrad was born with Autism Spectrum Disorder and has trouble communicating without the help of an iPad. He has always loved … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2017
For many reasons, an orchestra needs to represent and support its community. Viewing the mission statement of our organizations provides proof of this. Most include a phrase such as: “We strive to inspire, enrich and serve our community.” A study of demographics shows that our country has become more diverse over the years, and will continue to do so, with the Census Bureau reporting that already … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2016
Prison is one place I never imagined myself visiting voluntarily. It is certainly not a place I would have gone to have a deeply meaningful musical experience. Nevertheless, in May 2015, I and five other members of the Kansas City Symphony did just that. What resulted was an incredible affirmation of the power and value of classical music, and a truly unique learning experience that none of us … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2015
The Kansas City Symphony Enjoys a Taste of New York As Major League Baseball finalized its World Series matchup, on October 23rd during a Kansas City Symphony concert, KCS Music Director Michael Stern proposed a friendly wager to New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert: if the New York Mets won the World Series the KCS would send Kansas City’s best BBQ, and when the Kansas City Royals … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2014
Newark Early Strings Program to be Replaced The Newark Early Strings Program (NESP), a community outreach initiative of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the Newark Public Schools, is closing down after 14 years of service, due to reallocation of funding by the Newark School District. Undaunted, the NJSO has just announced a new educational program, to be named Music … [Read more...]
Issue: August 2014
As of late, ICSOM Chairperson Bruce Ridge has been on the road quite a bit representing ICSOM and visiting numerous ICSOM orchestras. Of course, that’s not unusual for Ridge. When one realizes that his own orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, has one of the busiest travel schedules in the country, one further appreciates the (literal) distance he goes for ICSOM. Just some of his travel … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2013
More than 100 people met in Kansas City, Missouri from August 21 to 24 for the 51st ICSOM Conference. Participants included ICSOM delegates and officers, AFM and local union officers, SSD staff, player conference representatives, presenters, and other guests. The location, the Conference hotel (the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center), the weather, and the fabulous hospitality of the conference … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2013
Honoring Cathy Payne Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board Whereas, Cathy Payne has been a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the San Francisco Symphony since 1996; and Whereas, She first represented her orchestra as ICSOM Delegate in 1998; and Whereas, Cathy proved to be an active and passionate representative for all ICSOM orchestras when she was elected as Member-at-Large in 2007; … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2013
At the recent 55th Annual Grammy Awards there were a number of ICSOM orchestra recordings that won or were nominated for awards. Congratulations to these ICSOM orchestras, listed here along with the award categories in which they were recognized. Producer of the Year, Classical Blanton Alspaugh (winner), credits include: Davis: Río De Sangre (Joseph Rescigno, Vale Rideout, Ava Pine, … [Read more...]
