There are many initiatives in the classical music industry to promote living, woman, and minority composers. You will see numerous festivals and special concert series devoted to supporting and promoting these composers. That is exactly what should be done. Upon talking with many colleagues about their upcoming auditions, there is a noticeable trend that needs to stop. The music required for the orchestras’ upcoming auditions was written by composers who were long gone: long gone white male composers. While these audition repertoire requirements have been considered “standard” for the last 25+ years, … Continue Reading

The perception that a classical concert requires a lot of rules to enjoy a concert is not far from the truth. Rules and etiquette, written and unwritten, create a very long list from what to wear to when to clap that can be very off-putting for newcomers and regular concert goers alike. On top of the general etiquette, there is a perception that one must be taught many things about the orchestra. Does information about the composers, the instruments, and the music need to be distributed and discussed before an audience member … Continue Reading

Just days after I won an orchestra position after a grueling audition, a phone call was scheduled for me to speak with the orchestra’s executive director to discuss the new job. Not two minutes into the conversation she told me to hang on and then proceeded to holler the following to someone else in her office: “Hey! We’re all going over to Hooter’s for some chicken wings…I’ll be there soon, K? And, hey, get me a margarita, but only if the waitress isn’t the bitchy one.” This was my first impression of … Continue Reading