Taking an orchestra on the road

What does the symphony tour do for Cincinnati and its image abroad? Should an orchestra do these international tours -- or stay home?

Those are questions I posed to a music writing class at Northern Kentucky University. Here are some of their answers, and others, too. You can weigh in, too, below.

"Their traveling is a great perspective of the city we live in. Too often because of past events, Cincinnati is viewed poorly. It is a great city and the CSO is one of many proofs." -- Micah Herrick, 20, Price Hill

"In the global world we live in, it would be a serious misstep for the orchestra to remain a local phenomenon.... Europe continues to be the center of Western music, and I think that recognition in such circles is what is required to take our orchestra's prestige to the next level." -- Maribeth Turner, 20 of Mason

"I think the CSO should tour so that overseas countries can see what the U.S. has to offer. I think it is worth the money because the classical music scene is dying, and this can help keep it alive." -- Andrew Barnhart, 19, Deer Park

"If the tour is a big chunk out of the budget, then I do not believe it's a good idea." -- Michelle Asher, 20

"People outside Cincinnati should have the opportunity to hear the music as we are so privileged to hear live." -- Scott Patterson, 20, Highland Heights

"An orchestra as renowned as CSO well deserves to be heard worldwide." --
Annie Donnellon, junior

"As far as touring goes, I believe that they should improve the situation here before they travel. I was taught that before you go out to play, make sure that you have your room cleaned." -- Marcus Duckworth, 28

"Touring is a great way for new and exciting music to be spread. Rather than the CSO play for the same group of people, touring will help to get a new audience. It also gives the city of Cincinnati a good name when the orchestra performs in a new place." -- Matt Lysaght, 19

"I would hope that accolades received by the orchestra in national and international venues would help to secure and maintain donor support back home. I certainly hope that budgetary constraints will not prevent the CSO from touring in the future." -- Diana Belland, NKU faculty member

"Music transcends so many barriers, and speaks in such positive ways about our city and what it values. It also allows others to experience the joy, sorrow, romance, and the best of what "is" Cincinnati through our city ambassadors. It is also so valuable and important to be able to "export" positive works of art and artistry, in a time when it has been more difficult from a world view to be seen as promoters of peace and creativity." -- Bruce P. Bernard, M.D., dad of twins in the Walnut Hills High School orchestra program