Aussie wins US orchestra
OrchestrasThe Greensboro Symphony has named Christopher Dragon as its music director, the first in two decades.
Born in Perth to Singapore parents, Dragon is also music director of the Wyoming Symphony.
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Anyone but a US conductor, right? Why do US orchs operate this way? Esp. the backwoods ones. Other countries give their own conductors a chance.
As if this guy is going to raise the artistic standing of their orch by virtue of the fact that he was born in another country. LOL.
Try Scotland! With the notable and wonderful exception of Sir Donald Runnicles, Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra quite recently, I can’t remember the last Scottish-born chief conductor of a Scottish professional orchestra, since Sir Alexander Gibson of the SNO and James Loughran of the BBC SSO in the midst and later part of the 1990s. As to the notion they actually live in and become part of the community? So … last century?!
“by virtue of the fact that he was born in another country.”
Why would you think that’s all he has to offer? Maybe consider that he has other excellent qualities that surpassed the US born candidates.
And why would you assume that every US candidate has absolutely nothing to offer? Not only to this Music Directorship, but to nearly every professional conducting position which comes available in the US. How many US conductors conducting US orchs can you name? How many US conductors has Dudamel accepted into his LA Phil fellowship program over the years? LA Phil & US arts organizations in general are funding training & opportunities primarily for non-US conductors.
In the US, music aficionados invariably value foreign conductors & artists over domestic no matter how good those US artists might be. Especially in ridiculous regional orchs. I’m not even a conductor & I’ve seen it again & again. My heart goes out to young US conductors fighting the odds. We should be giving US conductors opportunities, too.
“And why would you assume that every US candidate has absolutely nothing to offer?”
That’s an absurd leap to make from what I actually wrote.
Then why is the preference for hiring non-US conductors a documentable pattern in nearly ALL US orchestras?
If US candidates are so consistantly beneath the level of non US candidates, then allow them access to the education & the training programs here in the US which they need to succeed.
Require at least one conductor of those chosen for LA Phil’s Fellowship Program, for example, to be from the US. It’s a US-based, US funded training program which launches young conducting careers. Right now it’s training mostly South American conductors. Great, but give US conductors a chance at this opportunity as well!
US conservatories & universities should insist that some places are reserved for US conducting students. Some of the grant money (US taxpayer funds, in many cases) which these institutions are using to educate non-US conducting students should be allocated for US conducting students also. How will US conductors ever have a chance at their profession if the US insists on giving the best education, the best training opportunities and nearly all professional conducting positions to non-US candidates?
A conductor should be vested in the community they serve. US orchs rely on grant money, tax dollars, community support & a strong local presence to achieve those goals. US orchs differ from those in other countries because they rely on private, not govt. support. A huge part of any US MD’s job is related to fundraising.
What possible connection to the Greensboro, NC community does an Australian dude born in Singapore – no matter how talented he is – have?
Being a US MD in today’s economy encompasses much much more than being able to wave a stick well. A US candidate would be better suited for a small orch like this IMO.
Ah! Yes, a similar refrain is heard here in Australia lol. All good I suppose. Cultural exchange.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the pond. But I wish more big-name European artists and singers would come to the U.S. to perform if not to reside. (The Italians are sorely missing at the Met.) I guess they are scared by all the bad stuff they see every day in American mainstream media.
Congratulations Maestro.
Note: “In another exciting development, the GSO is delighted to announce Chelsea Tipton as its new Principal Guest Conductor.”
https://greensborosymphony.org/about-the-symphony/conductors/
Great. Matching bald guys. At least one is USian.
Never heard of Wyoming Symphony, but I am planning to attend next summer’s Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming.
Hardly a good comparison. The Wyoming Symphony is a decent semi-pro group that is well-supported by the Casper community and is a valuable civic asset. But the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra is a gigantic leap up: it’s a fully professional orchestra drawing top players from some of the best orchestras in the county. I’ve been going to the GTMF for close to 45 years and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the best summer festival in the USA. The scenic beauty of Jackson alone is worth the trip.
Really? Better than Vail, Aspen, Glimmerglass, Wolf Trap, Tanglewood?
NY Phil is playing in Vail next month after China trip.
The official orchestra for the GT music festival is its own orchestra the form every year with invited musicians from different major symphonies across the USA
Congrats to him! I really enjoy playing under him.
He is also Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony.
First concert of the season is the film with orchestra. “How to train your Dragon”