Shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars let their audience vote for contestants from home. A northern Illinois music organization is doing something similar in their search for a new music director.
The Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s tagline for this is “Be Part of the Choice!”
Julie Thomas, the executive director of the orchestra, said the group is encouraging the community to help choose from nine finalists, who are for vying to be the RSO’s next music director.
“So, each conductor will be with us for a week,” she said. “They will conduct the orchestra and rehearsals on a concert. But the decision won't be made until the end of 2022.”
Thomas explained that an on demand digital option for viewing concerts this year is being offered because COVID-19 has stopped many people from coming to the shows.
“We knew that many of our patrons may not feel comfortable coming to concerts,” she explained. “So, we wanted to be as accessible as possible and not have them miss being part of the experience.”
Thomas said the videos will also be used for their Share-A-Seat program. This project allows certain groups to see concerts for free. Some of those groups usually come in person but haven’t had the opportunity since the pandemic started.
“We're going to use the on-demand concerts to send them a link. So, in a group setting, they can watch the concert together if they can't get to the Coronado Theatre,” Thomas added.
She said the videos will also be used in school settings.
As of now, the digital concerts will only be available through the end of the year.
Both in-person and remote viewers will have the option to fill out a survey for each performance. The final decision will be announced early next year.
To find out how to “Be Part of the Choice, visit the RSO’s website.
