Orchestra’s integration
The Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the “Big Five” in the United States music word, has opened its 1970-71 season with a new look: two black musicians have been added as full-time members of the 103-man ensemble. According to conductor Eugene Ormandy, they were chosen “entirely because of their musical abilities, not because of race.” Violist Renard Edwards, 29, won an audition in 1969 that brought him a performing contract for the 1970-71 season. Violinist Booker T. Rowe, also 29, is among the several Negro musicians who have performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra when regular musicians were ill or absent He expressed “great elation” at being given a permanent seat in the string section. Vacancies in top orchestras such as the Philadelphia are infrequent, normally only one or two a year. Five other major American symphone orchestras have black musicians: the New York Philharmonic and the Boston. Cleveland, St Louis and Pittsburgh Symphonies.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19701222.2.79
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CX, Issue 32486, 22 December 1970, Page 12
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154Orchestra’s integration Press, Volume CX, Issue 32486, 22 December 1970, Page 12
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