Classical Notes: June 28, 2007 Archive

What's in a name change?

Posted at 11:58 AM on June 28, 2007 by Don Lee

More news coming out of the American Symphony Orchestra League's annual conference: the organization has a new name. As of this fall, it'll be known as the League of American Orchestras.

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra board chair Lowell Noteboom, who holds a similar position with the league, is quoted in the statement. He and others suggest several reasons for the name change but they avoid the one that Musical America puts in the first line of its story: the old name has "an unfortunate acronym."

For orchestra biz insiders, it's a welcome change. They use the league's name a lot and the old one begged for shorthand. The new moniker is still a mouthful, but there's a certain music to LOA.

Beverly Sills gravely ill with cancer

Posted at 12:33 PM on June 28, 2007 by Don Lee

NEW YORK (AP) -- Beverly Sills, the opera diva who won over fans worldwide with her sparkling voice and charming personality and became a powerhouse in the New York arts world, is gravely ill with cancer, The Associated Press has learned.

Full story here.