C.S.O. seeks new breed of concertgoer

Press, 16 September 1987, Page 2

C.S.O. seeks new breed of concertgoer

The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will strike up in different tempos during its 1987 spring concert season.

The orchestra will be attempting to attract a new brged of concertgoer with a range of popular symphonic concerts and prrogrammes — * .(he music lover who prefers Gershwin and Rodgers and Hammerstein to Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms.

The C.S.O.’s manager, Mr Earle Rowell, yesterday described the popular concerts as “vital” to the orchestra’s development, appealing to new audiences contributing to the orchestra’s funds.

“Our prime target is still the concert audience. One of 'the rules is that you can’t go wrong with Beethoven and a Brahms symphony is guaranteed success. But serious music is not everyone’s greatest love and we have found a lyeat deal of support for 1 he concerts of popular classics. It’s a relatively new field but an important one.” The C.S.O.’s earlier popular concerts — a

■ tribute to George Gershwin in March and two Rodgers and Hammerstein tributes in February — were drawcards for local audiences. They also illustrated the dilemma facing orchestra managers. . KrThe Gershwin concert resulted' In revenue of costs of $28,000. According to the C.S.O. managers, it illustrated that a financial killing did not result from a Christchurch Town Hall filled to capacity. A modest profit could be expected. The 1988 concert programmes will include five light concerts, including the regular Hagley Park concert in February. The 1988 programme will feature six instead of the usual five symphonic concerts — one of them designed to bridge the gap between the serious nature of subscription concerts and performances of show music. The spring series begins on Saturday with a concert in the Christchurch Town Hall conducted by guest conductor, Vanco Cavdarski.