American Orchestra Summit Coming to Ann Arbor

January 2010

On January 26–28, 2010, a landmark conference concerning the American orchestra will be held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, examining the wide-reaching cultural impact that the orchestra has had in America, and exploring how orchestras and academia might partner effectively to extend this import. This conference will bring together arts administrators and scholars from across disciplines to explore two issues in particular: 1) organizational structures and strategies--past and present--that have aided (or hindered) orchestras’ success and 2) the symbiotic relationship between an orchestra and its community. We hope that by considering the institutional history and practices of the American orchestra, we can better understand and address the challenges and opportunities of the present.

On Wednesday evening, January 28, Pierre Boulez will conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle, with a free, public talk moderated by musicologist Glenn Watkins that will serve as a closing conversation for the summit.

For more information, visit the summit’s Web site at: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/orchestrasummit/home

The American Orchestras Summit is co-hosted by, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, University Musical Society, and the student group Arts Enterprise @ UM, with support from the Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies (UM Ross School of Business).