Greetings!
Welcome to the online home of the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA). Our organization comprises over four-hundred college, university and conservatory conductors, as well as students, composers and industry professionals, all committed to the support of one another and to the future of orchestral music.
One of my favorite quotes comes from José Antonio Abreu, the founder of El Sistema:
“An orchestra is a community where the essential and exclusive feature is that it is the only community that comes together with the fundamental objective of agreeing with itself. Therefore, the person who plays in an orchestra begins to live the experience of agreement. And what does the experience of agreement mean? The practice of the group that recognizes itself as interdependent, where everyone is responsible for others and the others are responsible for oneself. Agree on what? To create beauty.”
We know this to be true. The musicians of our orchestras have that critically important understanding of the need for each other. Yes, we are in challenging times. We face challenges not only as individuals with a passion for orchestras and orchestral music, but also as members of a global community faced increasingly with mistrust, disagreement and conflict. What we understand as conductors, and what gives us hope, is that in the midst of conflict and mistrust, orchestras exist as role models — metaphors for a functioning, interdependent society. I believe it is essential that we remind ourselves of this every day.
As our profession faces its inevitable challenges, some long-standing, others new, I encourage you to take comfort from the support of your “community” of CODA. We are here for each other, and you will likely never find another group of individuals who better or more completely share and understand your passions and the challenges you face.
I am honored to serve as CODA’s national president, and look forward to our work together as we navigate these times for our profession. Within the membership of our organization we share so many of the same goals and desires. And above all, we work collectively toward a vital, relevant and thriving future for our orchestras.
With all best wishes,
Patrick
Dr. Patrick Reynolds
President, College Orchestra Directors Association
Professor Emeritus of Music
University of Dayton