Improve Our Orchestra Experience & Concert Qua...

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Author: cellopage

Started: September 3, 2008, 11:16:20 pm

Target: SOA members, past or present

Category: Uncategorized

Supporters:

Goal:

100,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

To Charles McDaniel
Producer, Symphony Orchestra of Albuquerque

We, the undersigned, wish to present a united front on the subject of
unprepared soloists. It should be understood that this issue causes a
considerable morale problem with orchestra members and conductors, and has
been a factor in players' decisions about discontinuing their affiliation
with the group. It is unacceptable to waste our time and effort, not to
mention the frustration and embarrassment we experience because of the
effect this has on the quality of our concerts.

In order to prevent this, the following is proposed:
To show competence and readiness to perform, the soloist must come to our
first rehearsal and play the solo piece with us as we read through the
music. The soloist must demonstrate the ability to count accurately, keep a
consistent tempo overall, and have command of the technical requirements of
the music. The soloist should have enough familiarity with the
accompaniment (from rehearsing either with a piano or with a recording) to
understand how the solo part fits with the orchestra. The soloist's music
must have numbered measures, or rehearsal letters that match those of the
orchestra parts.

If, at the conclusion of this rehearsal, it is clear that the soloist is
"still working on it" and/or doesn't have a grasp of how to play with an
ensemble, the piece will be removed from the program, and an orchestra piece
substituted.

Submitted by members of the SOA who care about putting out a good quality
product.