As the League of American Orchestras marks its 75th anniversary this season, we’re sharing important parts of our history. And one of the most critical pieces of that history is bringing people together to meet face to face: connecting with old friends and meeting new colleagues, catching up on the latest news.
The League links instrumentalists, conductors, managers, administrators, board members, volunteers, business partners, who all have one thing in common: a passion for orchestral music. They share that passion at the League’s annual Conference, management seminars, and artistic programs—sparking new insights and learning, or debates about that hot new conductor or the latest piece by John Luther Adams or Julia Wolfe. Even as technology makes virtual communication easier and easier, there is still no substitute for that essential human touch.
Talking About Music: The League presented workshops for music critics nationwide for several years. Above, the fourth annual Music Critics’ Workshop, held in Cleveland in 1956, per the hand-typed caption, from left: “Miss Theodate Johnson, Musical America; Ronald Eyer, editor, Musical America; Miss Mildred McKee, music critic, Topeka Daily Capital; Miss Beverly Wolter, arts editor, Winston-Salem Journal-Sentinel; John S. Edwards, president, American Symphony Orchestra League and manager, Pittsburgh Symphony.”
A Real Nice Clambake: The League’s 1976 Conference, in Boston, featured a geographically appropriate dinner for delegates.
Leading the Way: The League’s Emerging Leaders Program is a ten-month leadership program offering mentoring by top leaders in the field, one-on-one coaching, and in-depth seminars with leadership experts. Participants in the League’s 2018 Emerging Leaders Program with, at left in second row, seminar leader John McCann. Photo by Caitlin Whealon.
Take the A Train: Participants in the League’s 2012 Essentials of Orchestra Management course shared the ultimate adventure: a ride on the New York City subways.
Catching up in Person: Greeting colleagues at the League’s 2017 National Conference. Photo by Doug Coombe.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2018 issue of Symphony magazine.
