Klarinet Archive - Posting 000135.txt from 2004/01

From: "Forest Aten" <forestaten@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Dallas arts funding
Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2004 17:49:32 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: "Neil Leupold" <leupold_1@-----.com>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 2:00 PM
Subject: [kl] Re: Dallas arts funding

> > The "they" was a cheap shot that doesn't necessarily reflect the truth
about
> > those that "pay down there"....here. I'm always curious about why people
> > make statements like that one.
>
> Call it what you will. You've obviously heard it before from others,
which is not surprising,
> perhaps even from people who have resided in Dallas for 20+ years, like I
have. I lived there for
> four years myself. It's not a universal opinion, of course, but there
appears to be such an
> emphasis on money and image throughout the local culture, the "impressive"
amounts of money spent
> on concert halls and opera houses suggests more "bling bling" than a move
toward greater artistic
> education or integrity. It isn't like this in Fort Worth, Austin, or
Houston. Dallas is somehow
> unique among cities in Texas with good orchestras.
>
> I sat through many DSO concerts, and performed on the stage of the
Meyerson Symphony Center
> several times. When it came to watching DSO concerts, it was sometimes as
if Litton was
> conducting a different concert than the one being performed in front of
him. Speaking with Girko
> (before he was drummed out) and Garner and Runk, each player individually
confirmed that the
> orchestra occasionally doesn't pay attention to Litton at all, because his
direction isn't clear
> or effective. I had the same experience trying to appreciate their music
from the audience seats.
> Similar sentiments were expressed in casual conversation with other
players, including DSO
> principal horn Greg Hustis.
>
> > I'm guessing you have some contempt for those patrons that support the
arts groups "down here".
>
> You're guessing wrong, of course, because the concert hall ticket
purchasers aren't the ones
> paying for it. You make a telling statement while attempting to praise
the community for its
> support of the arts:
>
> >> Many of these same people...are privately funding a 275 million dollar
opera hall (ground to
> break next year...most of the money already raised.....very little public
funding)....<<
>
> No public funding -- not the same people. It would be gratifying if the
public were, in fact,
> responsible for the money that pays for places like the Meyerson and the
coming new opera house.
> It might help to diffuse the prevailing feeling that artistic institutions
in Dallas are erected
> to *fabricate* a sense of local culture, as opposed to emanating from (and
being reflective of)
> it. It's not a cheap shot to say things like this when the residents
themselves confirm it, which
> plenty do. Again, there is something unique about Dallas in this regard.
>
> > I'm pretty happy with what "they" are willing to "pay for" here in
Dallas.
>
> Of course you are. It's your bread & butter. Different perspective.
>
> >> Litton has submitted his resignation letter and will be gone 2006. He
is a very fine musician.
> His conducting is florid. Oh well. The musicians in the orchestra play
well....with any
> conductor. <<
>
> True, that last part. I've never felt that Litton and the DSO were a good
fit for each other and,
> much like a talented instrumentalist struggling against equipment that
doesn't naturally suit
> them, perhaps the DSO will form a more mutually enriching bond with the
next leader they bring to
> the podium.
>
> Neil
>

Neil,

Just some random thoughts.....

It's sounds like you would like to divide the arts patrons in Dallas into
two camps. Those that know about art...and those that know about money. This
is fine with me. Just so you don't diminish the importance of both
communities and understand that these two camps are often cross pollinated.
Did you ever donate to they DSO beside buying a ticket? Just wondering. How
is it that you know so much about what people who donate are thinking? Oh
say like a guy willing to a 42 million dollar gift...in a single donation.
It doesn't seem that you think that this very generous patron has art as
their primary motive. 42 million is a lot of money to give to a
building....unless of course you really like the opera and love the
community in which you live. Don't you think? This particular patron has
built a lot of buildings. He was the major contributor to the new arts
building at the University of North Texas.
http://www.music.unt.edu/facilities/index.shtml UNT, as you probably know,
has the second largest undergraduate music school in the country...with over
1500 students. Only Indiana is larger. This school has produced scores of
the best professional musicians in the country. Bill Winspear is his name.
www.associatedmaterials.com was his business. His family still owns the
private Corp. central to the public holdings. Not only does Winspear have a
true commitment to the professional arts in our community...but to the
future success of art in our community as the magnificent effort at UNT
demonstrates. "bling bling" away. I'm very happy he loves opera enough to
give such a big chunk of his personal wealth to the community for artistic
endeavors. Other single patron private donations for the new opera hall are
staggering. I know a lot of these folks personally (sat on the board as well
as play clarinet in the opera orchestra) and I can tell you that the ones I
know are giving money to make sure that we a world class venue for the opera
company to perform. Go here for information on the new opera hall in Dallas:
http://www.dallasperformingarts.org
Same with the Symphony patrons. http://www.meyersonsymphonycenter.com/ Many
are older patrons and leaders in the community. They want to give this
money, made as a result of their success in the area, back to the
community....and this in support of an art form that they have loved for
years. Many of the people that show up for a symphony concert in Dallas,
don't know anything about the people that give the money for the Meyerson
Hall. They don't know who gave the 21 million dollar gift that sealed the
deal for the Meyerson. Even though his name is on the building. That always
makes me smile. These concert goers don't care. Most are simply glad that
they have this wonderful hall to sit in and listen to such a wonderful
ensemble.

I'll agree that some of the seats sold in the Meyerson Hall are purchased by
corporations and for business use. All major arts organizations depend on
cash flowing to pay the bills. Tickets sold to this or that group of people
should make no difference to you....as long as those using the tickets
behave in the hall. Most major orchestras have also added "Pops" series to
the schedule. Does this also detract from the artistic integrity of the
company, individual players in the ensemble or the community at large? ;-)

If what you say about "bling bling" is true, Ft. Worth by the way is far
worse place to exist as an artist or patron. Can you say, Bass, Bass,
Bass......and more Bass....an entire family of them. They buy and sell the
arts world in Ft. Worth.

Good at dropping those names Neil. Do you think the guys you mentioned are
not sustaining top rate artistic integrity? The Dallas area is full of guys
like the ones you referred to. I wouldn't worry to much about artistic
integrity dropping due to "bling bling" patrons donating money in the Dallas
area. Your conversations with the clarinet players in the Dallas Symphony
and their comments about conductors are not unique to these players or with
most/many other orchestra settings. Pages and pages of conductor
jokes....world wide.....right Neil???

Adding to the fact that Mr. Andrew Litton is a fine musician.....and a bit
florid in the conducting area (I know Neil, I've been under that baton many
times).....but when the DSO came up short in the budget this past season,
Litton's Dad (of Litton Industries) came up with 14 million bucks to make up
the shortfall. This even after all knew Litton was leaving. Not a bad guy to
have around in a pinch. The DSO has been good to Litton and Litton has been
very good in many ways for the Dallas Symphony.
http://www.dallassymphony.com/

I wouldn't pan someone willing to pony up the big bucks to build great
venues for artists to perform. Even if they are more concerned about the
color of their hair or who they are seen with...over the music. Concert
goers that do care....benefit. Trashing those (even the) "bling blingers"
might discourage them from donating....and then it's ruined for many others.

Just for a little update:

Ft. Worth's Sym is having a very difficult time paying the bill for their
residence in the Bass Hall (can you say high school auditorium soon)
Houston's Sym is about out of business. Musicians are being ask to take a
cut in pay, benefits. Many top players have moved on. A huge problem.
Austin's Sym is a triple A club (good but not a Dallas, Houston or even a
Ft. Worth)
But here in Dallas...at least for now, the community has a very good Sym in
the black (making a go of it) and an opera company building one of, if not
the, most expensive opera halls in history.

Another "bling blinger" of note in Dallas:
Raymond Nasher: real estate developer. Collects modern art and sculpture for
his own pleasure. Was one of the first to put quality art into commercial
buildings and other similar public settings in North America. Donated
millions and millions to the Dallas Museum of Art for development of one of
the nations great sculpture venues. http://www.nashersculpturecenter.org
Then provided most of the art in the center....

Many, many private citizens donate millions of money to the arts in Dallas,
Texas. Both the sake of art...and their community. Business donations have
been far less predictable...but those business that do give are no less
important.

I'm pretty sure that the professional clarinet community in Dallas will have
great venues and ensembles to play in for many years into the future. We
have a great community of "bling blingers" here in Dallas!! Sorry I used
that "bling bling" thing so frequently. It was new and fun. It made me
smile.

AND....all of the major arts groups in Dallas have great education
departments. Community outreach has been a real priority for many years.
Very necessary for the future. The schools are failing in their liberal arts
efforts......simply no real funding.

Forest Aten
Clarinet/bass clarinet
Dallas Opera
www.dallasopera.org

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