Reaction to CCM story

Catching up on my e-mail, here are some comments from readers about the June 4 story, "CCM at a Crossroads." By the way, be sure to look at the "related stories" that ran with it.

Trudie Seybold, longtime supporter of local singers, writes:

"CCM is a place close to our hearts, having been a graduate of the old CCM in '51. We have names of other singers who are singing, conducting, composing professionally all over the world. They may not be as famous as the ones you listed, but they are doing very well.

Randolph Locke just recently sang in Memphis, Indianapolis and California and now is at Lake George singing Canio. Helene Schneiderman has been singing with the Stuttgart Opera for approximately 20 years, and has appeared as Rosina in San Francisco. I flew out to hear her, and Mark Duffin was in rehearsal of Don Carlos. Dale Travis is a regular at Chicago Lyric, the Met and now is singing at SF. Cathy Cook is with with SF too.

Jeff Martin is at Dortmund. Tom Hammons has been singing at the Met for the last 15 or so years. He will be singing here this summer in Tosca, as the Sacristan and a small role in Hoffmann. Lisa Griffith has been singing in Düsseldorf for at least 20 years. Scott Lawton, conductor has been the conductor of the Berlin Symphony and now conducts in Wupperthal. This summer Wayne Tigges will be singing Angelotti in Tosca here. He is a regular at the Chicago Lyric. Titi Andodekun is also singing in Germany, in Wuppertahl, the lead role in "Kiss Me Kate." She was supposed to sing the Aida, for the filming of the opera staged by Zeffirelli . We can be very proud of our CCM Alums.

We are happy that Dean Lowry decided to stay and we know he has an enormous task ahead of him."

(Wow! CCM needs to update the list!)

This from former CCM Dean Robert Werner, now retired in Columbia, S.C.:

"Part of my daily routine is to check out the Enquirer so I have been reading your reviews and columns, including the blog, regularly. It sounds as if the CSO is having a great revival with the new maestro and at the same time, as with other orchestras, facing the realities of 21st century concert going. It has been interesting to me because I have again become involved with the College Music Society, as President of the CMS Fund, and we have been exploring the challenges to concert music in the future and what it means for the training of professional musicians.

Thus, I read with great interest your recent article on "CCM at a crossroads". Your quote from Joe Polisi is exactly what all those in music in higher education are going to have to come to grips with. It would seem that our success also becomes one our greatest challenges these days."

Dr. Hasan Tezduyar, who retired from GE last year and says he comes from "old world Europe," writes:

"In my judgement, for a musical talent, after lengthy years of exceedingly challenging study, we should as a society provide them what they rightfully deserve. A comfortable living, and a sense of pride as they unselfishly share their talents with us is a win win for all.

My suggestion simply is this, with the support of new mayor of Cincinnati, Mallory, we need to bring some doable proposals to organize downtown, or various parks throughout the city, to bring classical music to the common people. We need to organize, and appropriate money -- minuscule, compared to the city budget for football stadiums or other city improvement projects. These will accomplish two things:

1.CCM and other classical musicians will meet face to face with grass roots people, benefiting each other in so many ways.

2. We have to remember that, not only the elite, but all children have the potential to become part of CCM one day, given a chance. We really can use a lot of improvement, compared to other countries' ambitious public education programs.

Where I come from, the old world Europe, classical music is part of everyday life, and does not only "belong" to so called "elite," but also to your everyday people, a friendly baker, or to a hardhat worker, bringing joy to millions, young, old, rich, and poor."

Dr. Tezduyar says his wife studies classical harp, and he has taken up the piano in retirement. He's willing to help organize these public concerts.