concert decorum

Tonight was our first Portland performance of the current classical series (we had a run-out concert last night in Newberg).  As usual, OSO president Elaine Calder came out to welcome the audience and to give nods to the major sponsors for the evening’s concert, and to reiterate the announcement of Carlos’ four-year contract extension.

As she began, a heckler in the audience yelled “It’s in the program!!”.  Very loudly.  Very rudely.

I want to take a few moments to address this, as it’s happened once before during this season (as far as I can recollect, during one of the concerts featuring the Adams Chamber Symphony).  

I understand that for some the pre-concert announcements are an irritating routine that must be endured before the concert’s music begins.  I sympathize.  I’d rather just get to the music, too.

However, the major sponsors and/or donors have done a great service to the community by underwriting these concerts, and it’s not too much to expect that, along with appropriate notice in the program, that they are acknowledged from the stage by our chief executive officer.  

Such niceties are greatly appreciated by those who give the money, I’m told, and the fact that they are giving to the symphony makes it possible for you to attend a concert that’s reasonably affordable, instead of nearly 60% more expensive.

I’m glad that the “gentleman” in the audience saw fit to indulge his impatience by bellowing his displeasure – because it created the opportunity to explain why these announcements are made and what purpose they serve.  

I’m sure that Elaine would rather spend more time right before the concert talking to patrons or relaxing in preparation for the concert, but she puts herself front and center for nearly every major concert to acknowledge the generosity of both corporations and individuals, instead of having a recorded announcement by some faceless radio announcer as is done by other orchestras.  

She’s doing her utmost to turn around the financial situation here in Portland, and deserves to be treated with dignity and decorum.