text: Midland Symphony Orchestra adapting to changing times - Midland Daily News
  https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Midland-Symphony-Orchestra-adapting-to-changing-6928790.php
  Midland Symphony Orchestra adapting to changing times
  Bohuslav Rattay laughs with pianist Edisher Savitsky during a Midland Symphony Orchestra rehearsal at the Midland Center for the Arts.
  The Midland Symphony Orchestra rehearses at the Midland Center for the Arts in preparation for its presentation of "Ode to Joy."
  On a sunny and mild morning recently, Bohuslav Rattay was musing about his first two seasons as music director of the Midland Symphony Orchestra.
  "I love the community," he said. "I love coming down here … on days like this."
  His unmistakable enthusiasm and good-natured wit have been hallmarks of Rattay's initial seasons at the helm of the MSO. Also widely noted has been his skill at engaging the players — he sometimes dispenses with a written score so that he can more fully immerse in the music.
  When Rattay was hired in 2012, it was the beginning of a new model for the MSO. After many years of having a locally based conductor who taught at Central Michigan University in addition to his or her orchestra duties, the organization decided to hire a non-resident conductor.
  "It allowed us to attract a highly regarded conductor from a wider talent pool," said MSO Managing Director Kim Dimond. "The majority of other orchestras our size across the country utilize the same non-resident conductor model and it's not unusual for a conductor like Bohuslav to work at two to three orchestras at one time."
  In addition to his Midland post, Rattay is music director of the Lake Charles, La., Symphony Orchestra and the El Paso, Texas, Symphony Orchestra.
  Rattay has settled in New Mexico, near El Paso, in part because "we do more concerts … It's the most practical."
  He also enjoys the weather in the desert but notes that he appreciates Michigan's terrain, as it is much like that of his native Czech Republic.
  "They both have their own beauties," he said.
  Rattay still does the occasional guest conducting gig, as when he led the Teplice Philharmonic in the Czech Republic last year. But he said such outings are increasingly difficult to arrange.
  "I can't fit anything in anymore," he said, adding that working with three orchestras is the maximum "if you want to do things well."
  April was a fairly typical concert-season month for Rattay. He conducted the Lake Charles Symphony on April 5, was in Midland for almost a week preparing for the April 11 Beethoven 9th concert and led two performances of the El Paso Symphony last weekend.
  Rattay said he thinks the MSO is "doing quite well."
  "I think the players are satisfied … We don't hear too many complaints."
  He had high praise for Dimond and her ability to manage the many moving parts associated with an organization like the MSO.
  "Thank God for her," he said. "She's got it down."
  "She has an eye for the guest artists" and also knows how to put together programs that combine the old and the new.
  Dimond said scheduling the orchestra's concert dates "is like a jigsaw puzzle coordinating with (Rattay's) other orchestras, the guest artist's availability, events at the MCFTA and orchestras in the state we share musicians with."
  The MSO's players come from across the state, including mid-Michigan, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Traverse City and the metropolitan Detroit area.
  Like many other arts organizations, the MSO had serious economic issues to worry about a few years ago. During the economic downturn, a concert was cut from the 2009-10 season and the number of musicians was reduced. But Dimond noted that the concert schedule has been restored, some special events have been added and more musicians have been hired.
  She also noted that subscription sales were down in the 2013-14 season compared to last year, making sales "very much dependent on popular and accessible programming." Sales were down for some of the classical concerts but were up for the holiday pops concert and the Beethoven 9th performance.
  "Overall buying patterns are changing nationally for arts organizations," Dimond said. "Patrons are buying last-minute and opting to buy single tickets as opposed to committing to a full year of concerts. They are also picking and choosing from flex packages, such as the MCFTA's Mix It Up package that gives audience members the flexibility to make their own season ticket package choosing from symphony, theater and choral performances."
  Dimond said she is excited about "what the MSO has accomplished over the past few years, especially our artistic growth and exploration of new programming."
  Perhaps the most unusual new programming next season will be the Nov. 1 concert "Classical & Canvas," which will feature artist Martina Hahn "creating several paintings on stage alongside the orchestra," Dimond said. Also on tap is an Oct. 26 family concert performance of "Peter and the Wolf" by wind quintet WindSync (the MSO doesn't perform for that event).
  In addition, next season promises familiar favorites including Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade," Stravinsky's 1919 "Firebird Suite," Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 and Rossini's "William Tell Overture."
  Since Rattay doesn't live in the area, his time is "extremely valuable when he's in town and we schedule as many meetings, education outreach programs, media needs and special events as possible in a short period of time," Dimond said.
  Rattay said he likes to visit schools when he's in the area, to help "plant the seed" of a love for music.
  "I try to keep it lighthearted and kind of funny with the kids," he said.
  Rattay said the MSO's main goal is to present a "quality product — that's what the people look for." He added that the organization is seeking to "be as efficient as possible so that people can be proud of what they have in Midland."