Something is simmering in Columbus, but it’s not the usual recipe! I wrote here and here about the initial reactions to what essentially amounts to a gutting of an orchestra. Sure there is anger, but there is also bravery and dignity. The audience from the beginning were empowered and now they are speaking out officially with a web-site that doesn’t sit on the fence…..it is the fence!
In an article by Richard Ades in The Other Paper entitled Promoting Passion, he writes:
No rock band would think of trying to get along in the modern world without a MySpace site or some other presence on the web. Musicians know the Internet is their prime tool for communicating with their fans.
Now a group of Columbus Symphony supporters hope they can work the same online magic with their own website. Called symphonystrong.com, the site is designed to promote communications between the ailing orchestra and folks who might turn into CSO fans if they just knew more about it.
It’s quite clear that the organizers are not just trying to be a middle ground for the two sides, but also a forum to try and bring the two sides together with positive voices and even pro activity. The group’s organizers Pam Conley, Mario Takeyama and Mary Greenlee (from left) are in the picture showing off their wristbands with the words “Symphony Strong”. Mario and the founders believe something that I believe in like a religion and when reading this next passage if it wasn’t for the fact that I read it in an airport lounge, I would have jumped and shouted HALLELUJAH and AMEN!!!!!:
“We try to just make excitement,” said Takeyama.
The way he and the website’s other 11 or so volunteers see it, one reason people aren’t excited about going to symphony concerts—or classical concerts in general—is that they don’t have a personal connection with the musicians or the music. (my emphasis) It’s a problem the website seeks to address.
As members of the Columbus Symphony League They have even started organizing events to promote an Audience Connection:
“We have been working with them since the fall on extending their connections to the community through a series of meet-the-musicians kind of events,” Greenlee said. “So far this year, we’ve had the maestro and 27 other musicians who have come.”
Greenlee described one event during which chef Hartmut Handke helped the musicians draw a connection between cooking and making music. The guests ate four kinds of chicken soup that were all made from the same chicken stock but tasted completely different. They also listened as the musicians demonstrated that performances of a classical piece may start out with the same score but sound entirely different depending on how it’s interpreted.
“We had, I think, 112 people there that night,” Greenlee said. “It was wonderful.”
“I used the whole five senses all in one night,” Takeyama said.
With such a proactive approach it’s clearer to me more than ever that we need to empower and appreciate our audiences, they are our lifeblood. Symphony Strong understands that no matter what financial plan is proposed, it will ultimately be an Audience Connection that determines the success of their Orchestra. Whilst negotiations are taking place, it is they who are actually spearheading the Orchestra’s community outreach!
Back in January it must have been a dramatic moment when the CSO together with Junichi bowed to their audience as a gesture of their deep appreciation. Well as of Sunday night the site has over 600 registered members, and it has only been up for a five days! The Orchestra’s appreciation is being reciprocated and I am hoping they make their bracelets widely available, giving us all an opportunity to support what is an unbiased effort to make the CSO front and center in their community. In support of audiences everywhere I encourage everyone to sign up!