To the editor:
In response to Aaron Liskov’s article (“Orchestral dissent,” Nov. 29, 2009), I would like to comment accurately on the mission of the Columbia University Orchestra. It is unfortunate that the CU Orchestra is characterized as not capturing the essence of an orchestra’s role in a university setting. Over 85 musicians will play the CUO’s program next week on Monday and Tuesday. A small number, specifically nine players, are given modest honoraria to fill out the sections as is common practice at Harvard, Brown, Princeton and Yale. The joint program between Columbia and Juilliard helps make this possible. Even without these players the level of the orchestra is extremely high. But by including them we offer the other 80 or so an enriching experience. I keep tabs on players that do not make the cut, and ask them to play for me from time to time in hopes that I can make space for them. There are many other groups that all players can join, such as the wonderful Wind Ensemble. I simply cannot agree with Liskov’s implication that the CUO’s mission does not help players to play their best. This is an unfortunate opinion and does not reflect our goals or accomplishments. I hope that the Columbia community will join us and experience two glorious nights of music-making with the phenomenal students of the Columbia University Orchestra on Dec. 7 in Roone Arledge Auditorium and on Dec. 8 in Miller Theatre, both at 8 p.m.
Jeffrey Milarsky
Senior lecturer in music and music director of the Columbia University Orchestra
Nov. 30, 2009
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