From:
norazg@aol.com (Nora Z. Graham. Los Angeles CA))
October 8, 1996
Dean Corey, Executive Director
Philharmonic Society of Orange County
2082 Business Center Drive, suite #100
Irvine, CA 92612 (714-553-2422)
I have had the pleasure of attending many concerts at beautiful Segerstrom
Hall in Costa Mesa.
I noticed at my last visit that the Philharmonic Society of Orange County has
booked the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (VPO) for concerts on March 4 and
5,1997.
You may or may not be aware that the VPO organization denies permanent
membership to women (with the possible rare exception of the harp). This has
been their policy for many years and remains so today.
While music organizations all over the world have come to accept the
contribution of women as valuable participants, the VPO maintains adherence
to their discriminatory, backward point of view.
I am sure that if, instead of excluding women, the VPO excluded Catholics,
Jews, or people of color, you would not for a moment consider inviting them
to perform .
It is bad enough that the Viennese put up with this kind of archaic attitude;
we don't need to import it here and support it with our money.
The presence of the VPO in our country is an affront to all women who are
striving to achieve equity in all areas of American life. Our nation is
proud of the strides women have made in entering all the fields that had been
closed to them in the past.
As word of this situation spreads throughout the Los Angeles and Orange
county areas, as it surely will, it will certainly tarnish the wonderful
reputation of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Orange
County Performing Arts organizations.
I strongly urge you to cancel this unfortunate booking and engage another
orchestra in its place which reflects our American set of values.
I, and the officers of several Womens' Organizations with whom this has been
discussed, await your consideration of this matter.
Yours truly, etc.
To date, I have received NO reply from Mr. Corey. After the elections, I plan
to send this to newspapers in the area, and whoever else I think might be
helpful.
I hope some of you in the New York area will pick up on this and send some
flack to the sponsors in New York. Here is the information I have:
VPO at Carnegie Hall March 7, 8 and 9, 1997.
Sponsor: Carnegie Hall - (in cooperation with the Friends of the VPO)
Administrative Offices: 881 - 7th Ave. at 57th St., NY, NY 10019
VPO's NY appearanceis part of the International Festival of Orchestras II.
Financial Sponsor: Deloitte and Touche; 1633 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
(an international accounting firm) It would be great if some radio talk show
could invite VPO to discuss their policy, Does anybody in NY have a contact
like that?
I would appreciate suggestions, ideas, and even encouragement!