"It's Her Turn to Call the Tune"
The New York Times, August 14, 2009
(photograph by Ángel Franco)
A brief article about Melissa Smey, the new executive director of the Miller Theatre at Columbia University, one of New York's most significant musical institutions. Melissa is no newcomer to Miller, having served as the venue's general manager since 2001. Working alongside George Steel -- who had an article of his own in the same issue of the Times -- she played a significant if largely unsung role in Miller's happy tale, and took over programming the theater's jazz series in 2006.
About that series, solid and admirable but seldom as bold as Miller's classical offerings, Ms. Smey intends to bring it up to speed; Evan Parker and William Parker were two boldface names significantly dropped during our conversation. Read on to learn a bit more about a bright young professional who is also quite possibly the only person in the music industry, performers aside, who uses the words "cool" and "awesome" when describing how she feels about the music of Helmut Lachenmann.
"...Evan Parker and William Parker were two boldface names significantly dropped during our conversation."
Right. As well as Vampire Weekend and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. But those indie bands have venues here in NYC and tour internationally. Why bring them to the Miller Theater when so much music here in NYC struggles to find venues for performance? Is that what she's suggesting? I may have misunderstood.
“It was not an easy thing to bring an audience up to Morningside Heights,”
What about DOWN to Morningside Heights?
How about a concert (or a series) dedicated to modern or contemporary African American composers? Harlem is like 5 minutes away from the Miller.
I love the Miller and go to many concerts there. by the way. I think its in good hands. But I think there are other paths to be explored besides the indie rock band route.
Posted by: Chris Becker | August 26, 2009 at 01:48 PM