Currie’s Tenure

On behalf of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Master Chorale Assn., I must take strong exception to the negative tone of John Henken’s Jan. 16 article, “Los Angeles Master Chorale at Crossroads.” While the Master Chorale may, indeed, be at a crossroads, the board is strongly committed to choosing the right course and is convinced that the chorale is going in the right direction.

The board stands firmly behind music director John Currie and what he has done during the 3 1/2 years of his tenure. Interest in the Master Chorale and ticket sales had been lagging well before Currie became music director in 1986. Since he took the podium, the Master Chorale has enjoyed increases in season ticket sales of about 10% each year.

Audience response to Currie, the works he has presented and his direction has been extremely favorable. The chorale enjoyed a surplus of $60,000 last year and expects another surplus this year.

We are most disappointed by Currie’s decision not to remain with us past 1991. He will, indeed, have done a great deal to restore public interest in the Master Chorale by the end of his tenure.

MARSHALL A. RUTTER, President, Los Angeles Master Chorale