|
|
The Wellesley College Philharmonic was typical for a Wellesley student organization
in that it was run entirely by students. For a while its conductor was even
a student. I experienced a remarkable sense of liberation and empowerment during
my first few months at Wellesley when I realized the student body was in charge
of all the organizations, from the newspaper to the film society to the radio
station,. We were adults, responsible and creative, able to contribute to our
community. Gone, even, were the faculty advisors. I had been in student groups
in high school where the students made most of the decisions, but the faculty
advisor was always there to keep things in check. At Wellesley, the administration
had no control over the content of the Wellesley News, or what was broadcast
over WZLY. If a faculty member was there at all, it was for their specific expertise,
their choral direction or religious leadership. But we were making the decisions.
That didn't mean everyone always agreed, of course. Alternative student newspapers,
often with a conservative bent, sprang up. Included among the women who filled
up eight buses to attend the women's march on Washington were pro-lifers as
well as the more apparent pro-choice advocates. But we all shared the spirit
of student activism. The college community, the reason for its very being, after
all, was the students. Many of us took advantage of this opportunity to lead
and make a difference.
The Philharmonic, which was known more mundanely in previous years as the Wellesley
College Chamber Orchestra, met once a week. It was chamber orchestra sized,
so the repertoire couldn't approach that of a symphony orchestra, but we conquered
a wide range of compositions. The student conductor position was voted upon
each year, with varying talents taking the podium. A faculty conductor was hired
for my senior year to provide more stable and experienced musical leadership,
but the student conductor position remained for those who wanted to seize the
baton.
Publicity was always a problem with our orchestra. Classical music concerts
took a back seat to more au courant activities for most students, so we had
to be creative with our advertising. I think this T-shirt said it the best.
We were spirited, we were rocking. You don't need to have an electric guitar
to bring the house down.
Related Links