Marin Alsop. Photo by Nancy Horowitz.
In Monday’s (6/16) Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Lottie Elizabeth Johnson writes, “Marin Alsop, one of the first women to helm a major American orchestra, offered another form of leadership at Abravanel Hall last week as she received a prestigious award that in years past has gone to prominent figures like Leonard Bernstein, John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma. As she received the Gold Baton, the highest honor awarded by the League of American Orchestras, Alsop spoke of taking risks, being creative and championing inclusion. ‘Our industry is facing seismic shifts: audience behavior, cultural relevance, financial pressures, equity and access—all converging,’ she said in her acceptance speech on June 11 … ‘The temptation is to retreat. To cling to what’s familiar. But history doesn’t go backward. And neither should we,’ she continued. ‘If we are brave—if we see clearly and act boldly—this upheaval can spark a more vibrant, inclusive, and impactful era for orchestras.’ Alsop delivered her galvanizing speech during the opening session of the League of American Orchestras’ 80th national conference … Orchestras, which thrive on the power live music has to bring people together, also face a challenge in an increasingly fragmented and digital world, Alsop said. ‘We’re not just presenting concerts—we’re building community, sparking empathy and reminding people of their shared humanity,’ the conductor said.”
