don ’ t work , but a lot of things have .”
( BElow ) Ricky O ’ Bannon
What are the challenges you see facing orchestras today and your thoughts on solutions ? I think all orchestras are talking about future audiences . That said , they ’ ve been talking about that since 1910 , so it ’ s important to remember that this is not a new problem . I think it is probably more extreme now with the internet world we live in . It ’ s important to look at technology and see how we can use it to further our mission to bring great music to as many people as possible .
We , like all orchestras , are also looking at customer service . What we do — perform these masterpieces and new works at the highest level possible — won ’ t change . But we are trying to enhance everything around the concert experience to make it as accessible and enjoyable to people as possible .
I think the issue of diversity is also important . As our population centers change , the percentages of different ethnicities change , and that calls for a different cultural approach . We also need to look at the makeup of our orchestras themselves and how we provide opportunities to diversify our workforce .
I ’ m very proud of the BSO because , unlike orchestras that talk about things , we try things . Some things don ’ t work , but a lot of things have . We need to keep thinking of new ways to reinvent ourselves .
You ’ re a champion of new and emerging artists . Why is it important for symphonic music lovers to expand their repertoire to contemporary composers ? The most important thing is to remember that Beethoven was new music at one time . It ’ s important to promote and encourage and support new composers in the concert hall , because that ’ s the only way we ’ ll have the Beethovens of the 21 st century . And also , when you go and see something new , it changes your perception and enables you to see the pieces you ’ re familiar with in a new way .
As you look back over your career , is there anything you wish you could have a “ do over ” on ? I wish I had finished my undergraduate degree at Yale before transferring to Juilliard . I went to Yale when I was 16 , so I was super young . Young people are in such a mad rush ! I wish I had given
I ’ m very proud of the BSO because , unlike orchestras that talk about things , we try things . Some things
don ’ t work , but a lot of things have .”
— Marin Alsop
Alsop playing along with the OrchKids .
myself more room and time to explore some of the other things I was interested in then . In terms of career , it ’ s the same theme . As a young conductor , it ’ s very hard to accept that you need to give yourself room to grow . I try to share with young conductors that it ’ s really okay to grow and gain experience . Conducting is unlike playing , in that experience is much more essential . Without experience , you ’ re not practicing your instrument . But really , I have almost no regrets , which is a good thing in life .
How have you seen the opportunities for female conductors evolve ? I ’ m seeing a lot more skilled women in the field and a lot more openness . There have been a few recent appointments of women as music directors ( in the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the New Jersey Symphony ), so I feel very hopeful . I started a fellowship in 2002 for women conductors , The Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship . We ’ ve had 11 recipients and they ’ re all doing phenomenally well . One of them , Valentina Peleggi , will conduct a piece with me in January of this season . I ’ ve watched the applicant level go up exponentially and a tremendous uptick not only in the number of women interested in the field but the level of their skill , so clearly they ’ re getting more experience and opportunities at an early age .
What do you enjoy doing outside the symphony ? I have a 12-year-old son , so my interests wax and wane according to him . He wanted to do scuba diving , so I got certified in scuba diving last year . He wanted to do rock climbing , so you can often find me belaying him at the climbing gym . I know a lot about swimming now because that ’ s an interest of his . He ’ s an avid reader , which I am , too . My interests , maybe out of necessity , but mostly out of joy , have gone in parallel motion to his , and that ’ s been a lot of fun .
Maestra Alsop conducts a free outdoor concert after the unrest in Baltimore last spring .
September – November 2016 | Overture 11 11