by Joan Hall

Created on: July 31, 2009

Obviously, those of us who are answering this question with a "No" are not saying that the Los Angeles Philharmonic should actively exclude local-born conductors, only that they should not exclude anyone else, either. I don't believe that there has been any kind of intentional discrimination against our local musicians that would necessitate affirmative action.

Los Angeles is a world-class city that attracts exceptional people from everywhere. In 1961, it attracted my father who left St. Louis with an Associate Degree in Pre-Engineering, but demonstrated the intelligence, talent, and motivation to become Chief Deputy Director of the County Department of Public Works (the #2 man in the entire department). The fact that he wasn't born here doesn't make him any less of a credit to our city.

All over the world, the most capable and most ambitious people come to Los Angeles to shine. That is how it should be when the eyes of the world are on us.

This is a city of opportunity for all. That's what we were for my dad. That's what we are to many great musicians and artists as well. If Gustavo Dudamel has a talent that is worthy of the finest venues in the world, should he be restricted to only take positions with orchestras in Venezuela? If he's world-class caliber, we will be as good for him as he will be for us.

I'm proud of the fact that we attract the best of the best. I'm proud of the fact that brilliant musicians like Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg decided to make Los Angeles their home. To continue to have a world-class arts community, we must be open to the best artists from everywhere.

If it's important to us to see a local directing the Philharmonic, we need to do everything we can to nurture our local talent. Make our own people the best of the best. We need to keep arts education in our school system, to make sure there are plenty of low-cost opportunities for our young people to experience great music, to see to it that talented young people can get serious musical training if they want it, regardless of their income level. When the day comes that we do hire a Los-Angeles native to conduct the Philharmonic, it won't be because we decided that it was finally time to get someone who's native-born, it will be because he or she is the best candidate around.

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