How is a music conductor like a good chef?
Selecting musical works for a concert is like planning a meal according to Michael Hall. The pieces must have appeal and go together in the right sequence to produce a satisfying experience. Hall is auditioning for the position of Conductor for Kennett Symphony at the Season Opening Concert in West Chester Saturday September 21.
Kennett Symphony is seeking a new Musical Director due to the retirement of Mary Woodmansee Green. The selection process consists of each of the three finalists planning, rehearsing and conducting a concert with the Kennett Symphony. After each concert, input will be taken from the audience and the orchestra members.
Each conductor candidate was given a budget. Hall made the choice of works that could be played with fifty six instruments and took care to preserve a full string section. Having trained as a pianist, Hall looks forward interacting with soloists and chose a piano concerto as part of his program.
Each conductor has a whirlwind week in Chester County which includes two full rehearsals, interviews, meetings with constituents and culminating in the concert.
The nationalistic folk theme Hall chose has a Slavic character from composers Kodaly, Greig and Dvorak. Hall wanted to have one piece that people might be less familiar with, followed by the Greig and Dvorak that are well known works. One hour before the 8:00 p.m. performance, Hall will talk to the audience about the works to be presented.
Hall sees a symphony orchestra as a part of the community. When asked what he would do if he were asked to plan the 75th Anniversary of Kennett Symphony, he said he would put music out into as many other events in the community as possible for the whole year. For this reason, he doesn’t believe a conductor can live at a distance from the community.
Although Hall likes the more relaxed environment of his home in Fort Myers, Florida, he immediately noticed the high level of community participation and the proliferation of events in Chester County. The area’s attention to preservation of history resonated with his desire to preserve music by playing the works of old and new masters.
While working with the Pacific Symphony, Hall developed Family Concerts. He describes the Family Concerts as containing shorter pieces and being more interactive. One concert with Moussorsky’s Pictures at the Exhibition – Catacombs, Hall asked the audience to notice when the music got loud and when it got soft. He then asked them to stand like a column when it was loud and sit when it was soft.
When asked his advice for the orchestra organizations that are struggling financially, Hall said to emphasize the reason that they exist, the importance of music.
Although Kennett Symphony has been around for almost 75 years, new things are happening. For the 2012-13 season, a new Executive Director, Monica Buffington was appointed. This year 2013-14 there will be new conductors at every concert culminating in a selection of the permanent Music Director for the 2014-15 season.
Buffington devoted her first year working with each of the conductor candidates to find the best fit of talent and resources, then smoothing out the year so the series of concerts was varied yet coherent. She worked hard to create a level playing field so that all candidates would have equal opportunity.
Opening Season Concert is this Saturday September 21 at Madeline Wing Adler Theater, West Chester University.
7:00-8:00 – Michael Hall talks about the performance
Performance
• Kodály Intermezzo from Háry János Suite
• Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor (Guest Artist: Igor Resnianski)
• Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World
After the concert – Interact with conductors and performers
For more information and tickets go to http://www.kennettsymphony.org/
About Emily Myers
Emily Myers has lived and worked in Chadds Ford for over thirty five years. She founded the parent company of Chadds Ford Live, Decision Design Research, Inc., in 1982. ChaddsFordLive.com represents the confluence of Myers' long time, deep involvement in technology and community. Myers was a founding member of the Chadds Ford Business Association and currently serves on its board of directors. Her hobbies include bridge, golf, photography and Tai Chi. She lives with her husband, Jim Lebedda, in Chadds Ford Township.
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