A few random news items in no particular order, if only to assure our WCF readers that we haven't been completely goofing off this morning
Although there's not much in the way of nutritious "red meat political news" in the morning papers to whet our readers' ever-voracious news appetites, we have, (after considerable Googling), nevertheless stumbled upon several interesting lo-calorie "snacks." We'll accordingly reel off the following news items in no particular order, if only to assure our WCF readers that we haven't been completely goofing off this morning:
Following up on this thought-provocative Charles Trentelman "Wasatch Rambler" column, published earlier in the week, The SE editorial board this morning says,"[we] agree with Dennis Howland, state commander of the Veterans for Foreign Wars, that there is a much better way for these monuments to service to be handled. If a thrift shop, such as Deseret or Savers, etc., receives a flag and medals, send the military symbols to the local VFW post. As Howland mentions, there is an archive where these historical symbols of service will be treated with respect and put on display":
"Such things deserve far better shelf space than across the aisle from used paperbacks or size 36 men's pants, circa 1972," the SE editorial board adds.
We say: "Amen to that."
Within Saturday's Weber State University Game Day Thread article we linked a half-dozen Standard-Examiner stories noting WSU Football Coach Ron McBride's imminent retirement and paying him well-deserved tribute for his 50-year career as a college football coach. Here's another top-notch tribute to add to that article list:
And last but not least, we'll focus the WCF spotlight on a "tempest in a teapot" which clicked up a couple of notches to a "major kefluffle" after Weber State University music professor Michael A. Palumbo, serving as the conductor for the WSU (Student) Symphony Orchestra, interrupted the performance of Ludvig von B's' 9th Symphony in the middle of the fourth movement, and asked a disruptive audience member to depart the packed house. One concert attendee, feathers duly ruffled, started the "whining" ball rolling with this irate SE Letter to the Editor, to which professor Palumbo responds in this morning's SE hard-copy edition front-page story:
So what about it gentle readers? Did Professor Palumbo step over the line in stopping the concert (not once but twice) and publicly chewing out an audience member who had also repeatedly interrupted Sunday night's concert? Or on the other hand, was Dr. Palumbo's behavior justifiable, to protect the integrity of the performance and the peace and decorum of the concert hall? As it turns out, the offending audience member was a disabled person. Does that distinction make any difference under this fact-set?
That's it for now, Gentle Readers.
Time to let 'er rip...
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5 comments:
The noisy kid at the concert should have been kicked out. When you go to an event, you're expected to conduct yourself appropriately. If you won't or can't, then don't go.
Years ago, when my firstborn was small, she started crying at a concert and we were asked to leave. We did so politely.
The lady with the handicapped kid could have shown equal class. But she didn't. Find a babysitter next time like the rest of us.
Grow up, and learn to follow the rules of polite society.
Audiences at all public performances are requested to turn off the cell phones before the show starts. If one's fellow concertgoers deserve this respect, and especially if the performers on stage deserve it, then it makes no difference what the source of the noise was. If such behavior is allowed to be the norm, what is the future point of going to a concert?
I wonder how the guardians would feel if THEY had worked long hours to prepare a performance, or speech, or some such, and were either heckled or had their concentration broken by some disturbance.
The lack of respect for Dr. Palumbo, his orchestra, Weber State, and what few remaining civilized concertgoers may be left is disheartening.
I agree with the comments, however, i totally believe this could have been handled better. I have heard that it was a handicap adult and some say child. Nobody seems to be giving the correct info. That is besides the point. I believe this conductors behavior was intolerable. Is this how he treats people on a daily basis? Im sorry but im sure they had "crowd control" in place and they should have been allowed to handle the distur bance. But to stop twice? Come on. I feel for the person, child or adult who was publicly embarrassed unnecessarily. It just could have been handled more professionally.
I attended the WSU Symphony performance of Beethoven's 9th last Sunday - and fully witnessed the noisy child and the conductor's very appropriate (no tantrum: a wave, a smile and a short "Bye" ) dismissal of the child.
Note: it is clearly stated on the tickets, on the programs, and on signs on the entrance doors: Only Children aged 8 and Over Allowed in Theatre.
The child was not removed, the conductor and orchestra began the 4th movement a 2nd time, and 6 or 7 minutes into it, the child's voice was heard again. Conductor then seemed more upset, and reminded the audience that this arena and the Symphony was not the proper place to bring a noisy child.
Someone yelled: She's handicapped! His first inkling the child was anything other than a very young & restless child making noise. He made a motion with his hand indicating they should still leave so the performance could continue.
Father (?) and child crossed in front of our seats on the way out, with the adult berating the child for public embarrassment. A few minutes passed before things calmed down enough for the performers to begin the 4th movement a 3rd time.
I saw nothing wrong with this picture excepting the child prone to outbursts being brought in the first place. Sympohonies and orchestras perform special shows (less formal, i.e. afternoon matinees, summer Symphony in the Park, etc. for the express purpose of letting others such as the handicapped girl attend and enjoy the beautiful pieces performed by our talented students and other performers.
They could also possibly arrange for a group or family to attend a rehearsal instead of the actual performance - for which in this case over a hundred performers had prepared and worked hard to present.
TLJ
The Browning has special performances for special children.
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