ORANGE COUNTY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
2082 Business Center Dr., Suite #100
Irvine CA 92612-1113
Tel: 714-553-2422
Fax: 714-553-2421
Email: psmail@ocartsnet.org
Web page: http://www.ocartsnet.org/philharmonic/index.htm
(This is the first written reply I have received from OCPS, since my letter
of Oct. 8 '96. --in IAWM archives at:
http://www.acu.edu/academics/music/archive/iawm.9610/0236.html
I will reply to Mr Corey to the effect that all the wonderful
work the OCPS does to bring music to Orange County is laudable, women's
involvement
in the organization is excellent, so why did they make the horrendous mistake
of
importing a sexist orchestra to this country to perform?
--AND we feel it is
the organization's MORAL OBLIGATION to inform their unsuspecting subscribers
what they are
paying for.)
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Dear Ms. Graham,
I am writing to you in response to our conversation regarding the
Philharmonic Society's presentation of the Vienna Philharmonic. You implied
that our presentation of this orchestra indicated that we support the view
that it is acceptable to disallow women in prefessional orchestras. We do
not have such an opinion.
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County is dedicated to fostering,
promoting, and increasing the knowledge and appreciation of the arts by the
residents of Orange County. We do this by presenting musicians and ensembles
of the highest quality, such as the Vienna Philharmonic, as well as
developing and implementing a wide variety of music education and outreach
programs. We have been doing this for 40 years and we plan to continue this
fine tradition for generations to come.
The contribution of women to the cause of the Philharmonic Society is
enormous, both on-stage and off. More than 40 years ago, the organization
was founded by a women (!) conductor, and women musicians, conductors and
soloists continue to be featured in our concert programs. Today, women hold
leadership and management roles in all parts of the organization, and guide
all aspects of the decision-making process. Our current board president is a
woman. We have more than 1,100 women volunteers. Each year, approximately
150,000 girls and young women experience the more than 1,500 educational
programs that the Society presents.
I have enclosed some materials about the Society that I hope will give you a
clearer picture of the scope of our activities and I invite your comments.
Thank you for getting in touch with us and please let me extend to you our
best wishes for your endeavors in this new year.
Sincerely, Dean Corey, Executive Director
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