Free Events

In 2011-2012, the American Orchestra Forum presented three free public discussions at Davies Symphony Hall, each addressing a different set of questions, featuring music directors and thought leaders from within and beyond the classical music world. See our multimedia page for videos from these events.


Talking About Audiences

Sun May 13 1:30-4:30pm, Davies Symphony Hall

While classical music continues to grow artistically via commissions, new music, and new channels of distribution, the core orchestral presentation—a live, on-stage concert—is essentially unchanged over the past 100 years. Will that, can that, remain the case for the next 100 years?

  • How can the art form evolve with changing social norms without changing its very essence?
  • How has the way the audience participates in a live music experience changed, and how should it influence our future?
  • Are there models outside the performing arts realm that can inform our choices?

Keynote: Alan Gilbert, Music Director, New York Philharmonic in conversation with Matthew VanBesien, Executive Director Designate, New York Philharmonic

Spotlight #1: Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research & Analysis, National Endowment for the Arts

Spotlight #2: Elizabeth Scott, Chief Media and Digital Officer, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; formerly V.P., Major League Baseball Productions

Roundtable: Spotlight speakers in conversation with Brent Assink, Executive Director, San Francisco Symphony; Matthew VanBesien, Executive Director Designate, New York Philharmonic; Mark Clague, associate professor of music, University of Michigan, and Steven Winn, San Francisco arts journalist and author

 

Talking About Creativity

Sat Mar 17 1:30-4:30pm, Davies Symphony Hall
Watch videos from this event.

The classical music world in general, and orchestras in particular, are steeped in centuries-old traditions. Yet most American orchestras strive actively to nurture creativity and innovation, factors that are crucial to sustaining the art form, as well as the institutions themselves.

  • How do orchestras balance tradition and innovation?
  • How do classically trained musicians and composers straddle genres?
  • How has changing technology shaped how artists think about music, how they are trained, and how we experience it?

Keynote: Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director, San Francisco Symphony, in conversation with Brent Assink, Executive Director, San Francisco Symphony

Spotlight #1: Mason Bates (a.k.a. DJ Masonic), composer, in conversation with John Adams, composer, moderated by Mark Clague

Spotlight #2: Margo Drakos, cellist and Co-founder, InstantEncore, in conversation with Ed Sanders, Group Marketing Manager, Creative Lab at Google, moderated by Steven Winn, San Francisco arts journalist and critic

Roundtable: Spotlight speakers in conversation with Mark Clague and Steven Winn

 

Talking About Community

Sun Oct 23 2-5pm, Davies Symphony Hall
Watch videos from this event.

Ethnic and economic diversity might be expected to erode the role of a European-derived institution, but changing demographics in our country’s orchestras and their communities suggest, and at times have demonstrated, that symphonic music actually brings people together across time, space, culture, race, and class.

  • How have orchestras adapted to serve and respond to changing communities?
  • How have they served as a cultural entry point and social bridge for immigrants & minorities?
  • How has the role of the orchestra as a civic partner in education expanded evolved in the past century?
  • What is an orchestra’s duty to its home city and its citizens?

Gustavo Dudamel Keynote: Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director, Los Angeles Philharmonic and alumnus, El Sistema, Venezuela, in conversation with Deborah Borda, Executive Director, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Spotlight #1: Jesse Rosen, President/CEO, League of American Orchestras, in conversation with Neil Harris, Professor of History and Art History, University of Chicago; moderated by Mark Clague, Professor of Music, University of Michigan

Spotlight #2: Afa Sadykhly Dworkin, VP/Artistic Director, Sphinx Organization, Detroit, in conversation with Amos Yang, Assistant Principal Cellist, San Francisco Symphony, and alumnus, San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra; moderated by Steven Winn, San Francisco arts journalist and critic

Roundtable: Spotlight speakers in conversation with Mark Clague and Steven Winn