Greetings from the Durham Symphony Orchestra
Dear DSO Friends & Family,
“The times they are a-changin’.” In this not-so-brave new world, we are all feeling vulnerable and in need of comfort. How we go about finding stability and consolation during this time will be an individual matter. But what has always helped me is my connection to loved ones, books, and music. They are the wind beneath my wings, and after 65 years and counting, I’m still flying and enjoying more than ever the miracle of Life.
A few weeks ago, I spoke on the phone to my step-mother, Doris Evans Curry, who will be 106 years old on June 1 of this year. She is currently living in a retirement facility. When she was five, she lost two of her siblings to the “Spanish Flu”. And now she has lived long enough to see this new coronavirus. Today, as we grapple with COVID-19, I’m reminded of her generation, the so-called “greatest generation” who lived through two World Wars, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Great Depression of the 1930s and the 2008 crash, the Civil Rights movement, riots in the streets, and the threat of nuclear annihilation…just to mention a few of their “challenges”.
When I asked my step-mother how she managed to remain optimistic and positive during an era where African-American women had to deal with the harsh reality of the “glass ceiling”, she replied; “I kept my eyes on the prize.” She focused on what she wanted to accomplish in life, kept her dignity and self-esteem intact, and passed the test.
Now it is now our time to be tested. And as we do this, we are being reminded every day that what matters most to us are our family and loved ones. There is no silver lining in a situation where so many will lose their lives. (I have already lost two friends.) However, we can learn that we are all in this together, as equals. Who would have thought it? America—after its long and dark history of denying Native Americans, African-Americans, women, and gays their promised equal rights—has finally become the Promised Land where all are equal in the sight of God…and the grave.
May we all—this family of musicians, patrons, and friends—let these challenges lead to a healing time where we gladly and gratefully acknowledge our love for each other and great music.
Ten years ago, when I became the artistic director of this ensemble, I set forth six key parts of our mission:
1. Increasing our performance standards.
2. Promoting local talent through collaboration and consultation.
3. Bringing a wide variety of music to our community. I have sought special emphasis on the classics, American music, and what my friend the late Gunther Schuller titled “third-stream music”—a genre mixing European compositional techniques with popular music (including jazz).
4. Ensuring that we consistently show the importance of diversity in our concerts, making the DSO the “people’s orchestra” for our community.
5. Seeking out and encouraging gifted young singers, instrumentalists, conductors, and composers.
6. Educating and enlightening our audiences about the composers whose works have been so meaningful to us.
Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing the fruits of this mission with you, posting both video and audio highlights from my ten-year tenure as Music Director of the Durham Symphony Orchestra. These were beautifully recorded by our sound engineer Mark Manring and they represent the best of the best of our efforts. I hope that in the coming days they will encourage you toward delight, remembrance, and discovery!
William Henry Curry
Music Director
Durham Symphony Orchestra
April 20, 2020