I received somewhat bad and disturbing news when I got home tonight. North America’s last remaining Radio Orchestra, Vancouver based CBC Radio Orchestra, has been shut down. The culprit? You guessed it, budget cuts. While symphony orchestras make the majority of their revenue recycling a limited canon of classical hits, the CBC Radio Orchestra continually forged new paths for Canadian Music. I have many friends who play in this ensemble and seen them perform countless times. I’ll admit that I didn’t always enjoy the music but the orchestra always pushed traditional classical boundaries and that I will always respect. One show that stands out in my mind was the partnership between Canadian rapper, K-OS and the CBC Radio Orchestra. CBC did a great documentary that chronicles the composition and collaboration process between these two polar opposite artists. The Canadian classical musical scene just got a little more homogeneous.
Posted by Steve Mynett
Dr Charles Barber (March 30th, 2008)
I remember a day when the CBC was led by patriots,
intent on serving the Canadian identity, advancing the
Canadian cause, and helping define the Canadian
people.
I also remember that the CBC was founded by
Conservatives who saw in our public broadcaster an
engine of Canadian growth and accountability. So it
has been for 75 years.
But now? The CBC has debased itself — again — by
destroying its own radio orchestra. This is a
disgrace. It is an embarrassment. It must be reversed,
and the CBC returned to its first identity. I am one
of many, many Canadians who call on our Conservative
Prime Minister to re-assert the CBC’s cultural
identity, and to reverse this ridiculous and reckless
decision.
Anyone who wants to find commercial radio knows what
it serves, and where to find it. The CBC is ours.
Canada’s.