Hitting a low note

Mark Swed’s perceptive review of the American Youth Symphony concert [“Youth Symphony Acts All Grown Up,” March 29] was marred by his mean-spirited jab at a patron who bought, at auction, the right to conduct the national anthem. I was present at the concert, and the gentleman in question clearly had prepared seriously for this role. What fun to watch an amateur who was thrilled to have this honor!

Moreover, it is through contributions such as his that the American Youth Symphony is supported. Until Swed is ready to match such contributions to the AYS with his own, perhaps it would be better to cut the patrons a little slack.

Jeff Marx

Santa Monica