And the winner of the Kennett Symphony conductor search is…
For those attending all three audition-concerts, the choice is clear. One could hear the name on people’s lips as they exited Saturday’s final concert.
When former director Mary Woodmansee Green announced her retirement in the fall of 2012 after 25 seasons with the orchestra, the long search for a new music director began. And despite some controversy during her tenure, she did accomplish an amazing feat. She created a professional symphony orchestra from an all-volunteer community orchestra. Bravo!
And while the Kennett Symphony is an important cultural institution that demands excellence in musicianship on every level, it is also a business– a big business!
According to Board President Paul Merluzzi, while a sold-out concert may bring in $10,500, depending on musician payroll and other expenses, it can cost anywhere from $35,000 - 45,000 to put on the concert. But it’s a nonprofit, you say. Yes, but the nonprofit designation doesn’t mean the organization can’t make a profit. Rather any profits realized in the operation are restricted to educational or other charitable avenues, not the shareholders.
Merluzzi, told Saturday’s audience, the Search Committee will meet this Friday and the board of directors will cast their final vote in mid- April.
To anyone attending all three concerts the choice is clear:
- There is only one candidate who started the concert with a rousing rendition of our national anthem.
- There is only one candidate whose programming abilities and musicianship challenged not only musicians, but by his skill, the listening audience as well.
- There is only one candidate who conducted the Dvořák’s intricate Symphony No. 9 from memory creating a richer interpretation.
- There is only one candidate whose personality electrified the audiences into roaring applause, bravos and multiple standing ovations.
- There is only one candidate who will attract the professional level of musicians we need.
- There is only one candidate whose charismatic personality can attract the corporate and private sponsorship as well as new audience members that all non-profit institutions need to survive.
- There is only one candidate whose qualifications soar above the other two in every single area.
And for those who attended all three audition-concerts, there can only be one answer…Michael Hall.
And let’s just hope the Kennett Symphony Board of Directors was listening too.
About Sally Denk Hoey
Sally Denk Hoey, is a Gemini - one part music and one part history. She holds a masters degree cum laude from the School of Music at West Chester University. She taught 14 years in both public and private school. Her CD "Bard of the Brandywine" was critically received during her almost 30 years as a folk singer. She currently cantors masses at St Agnes Church in West Chester where she also performs with the select Motet Choir. A recognized historian, Sally serves as a judge-captain for the south-east Pennsylvania regionals of the National History Day Competition. She has served as president of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates as well as the Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford where she now curates the violin collection. Sally re-enacted with the 43rd Regiment of Foot and the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment for 19 years where she interpreted the role of a campfollower at encampments in Valley Forge, Williamsburg, Va., Monmouth, N.J. and Lexington and Concord, Mass. Sally is married to her college classmate, Thomas Hoey, otherwise known as "Mr. Sousa.”
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