Comments on: On the firing of Paul Horsley, The KC Star classical music and dance critic http://kcopera.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/on-the-demise-of-musical-criticism-paul-horsley-the-star-and-the-kc-arts-scene/ A behind the scenes look at the Lyric Opera Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:51:57 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Robert McNichols, Jr. http://kcopera.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/on-the-demise-of-musical-criticism-paul-horsley-the-star-and-the-kc-arts-scene/#comment-17 Robert McNichols, Jr. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:50:59 +0000 http://kcopera.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-17 Time and time again I have scene the dramatic way in which having such a viable resource could help shape the audience in positive ways for performances. This position is a very skilled position, and can't just be done by someone not knowledgeable about the performance piece or genre they are attending. Without a person with this sort of skill you do a severe ill service to the many outstanding arts organizations performing in Kansas City. I also believe that you do an huge dis-service to the diverse audience of readers looking for arts coverage of this level, and not just a free lance writer unfamiliar with the art form they are attempting to write about. With arts organizations contributing $279 million dollars annually to the economy of this region, I think they deserve more consideration in how they are represented by media professionals. Robert McNichols, Jr. Time and time again I have scene the dramatic way in which having such a viable resource could help shape the audience in positive ways for performances. This position is a very skilled position, and can’t just be done by someone not knowledgeable about the performance piece or genre they are attending. Without a person with this sort of skill you do a severe ill service to the many outstanding arts organizations performing in Kansas City. I also believe that you do an huge dis-service to the diverse audience of readers looking for arts coverage of this level, and not just a free lance writer unfamiliar with the art form they are attempting to write about. With arts organizations contributing $279 million dollars annually to the economy of this region, I think they deserve more consideration in how they are represented by media professionals.

Robert McNichols, Jr.

]]> By: Keith Harmon http://kcopera.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/on-the-demise-of-musical-criticism-paul-horsley-the-star-and-the-kc-arts-scene/#comment-13 Keith Harmon Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:01:43 +0000 http://kcopera.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-13 A city's musical performance history is traced by these very individual (usually one time only) cultural events.. If no record or criticism of them is maintained it is much as if they had never happened. Local artists of merit are neither heard nor discussed by the media which means they are not given anything to put in their scrapbooks or stimulate their professional growth. If the coverage is not by someone with musical credentials it cannot be taken as anything but an insult. Criticism is an area where the instant media cannot compete effectively with newspapers. We need the movie and book reviewers too but every new film and book is reviewed over and over again and available to all by a quick GOOGLE. Our local performing arts history will vanish if our newspaper doesn't do the job. Keith O. Harmon A city’s musical performance history is traced by these very individual (usually one time only) cultural events.. If no record or criticism of them is maintained it is much as if they had never happened. Local artists of merit are neither heard nor discussed by the media which means they are not given anything to put in their scrapbooks or stimulate their professional growth. If the coverage is not by someone with musical credentials it cannot be taken as anything but an insult. Criticism is an area where the instant media cannot compete effectively with newspapers. We need the movie and book reviewers too but every new film and book is reviewed over and over again and available to all by a quick GOOGLE. Our local performing arts history will vanish if our newspaper doesn’t do the job.
Keith O. Harmon

]]> By: Richard G. Dawson http://kcopera.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/on-the-demise-of-musical-criticism-paul-horsley-the-star-and-the-kc-arts-scene/#comment-12 Richard G. Dawson Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:21:54 +0000 http://kcopera.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-12 We are looking forward to the opening of the Performing Arts Center, which will provide a vastly improved site for classical music, opera, and dance. And to welcome this blossoming , the Star eliminates its music/dance critic position! In the past year, I have attended at least two excellent performances because of the review by Paul Horsley. How are people to tell what they would be sorry they missed? In many cases it is because of a review by a critic we trust. The various arts need dedicated reporters who understand them and can pass on an educated and sensitive picture of the what is offered. I have subscribed to Our Paper for decades; your reviews been a strong asset. Please reconsider this snub to those of us who support high-quality music in this community. As I recall, more people attend cultural events than Chiefs and Royals games! Richard G. Dawson 5804 Charlotte Kansas City MO 64110-3018 816-361-9141 We are looking forward to the opening of the Performing Arts Center, which will provide a vastly improved site for classical music, opera, and dance. And to welcome this blossoming , the Star eliminates its music/dance critic position! In the past year, I have attended at least two excellent performances because of the review by Paul Horsley. How are people to tell what they would be sorry they missed? In many cases it is because of a review by a critic we trust. The various arts need dedicated reporters who understand them and can pass on an educated and sensitive picture of the what is offered. I have subscribed to Our Paper for decades; your reviews been a strong asset. Please reconsider this snub to those of us who support high-quality music in this community. As I recall, more people attend cultural events than Chiefs and Royals games!

Richard G. Dawson
5804 Charlotte
Kansas City MO 64110-3018
816-361-9141

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