I’m really not sure why I wrote this. Anyway…I did, for some reason. Jack Heller, now deceased, was Chair of the School of Music of the University of South Florida. He was an amazing musician, an outstanding violinist, a very good boss, and on the side, conductor of the Tampa Bay Symphony. Jack agreed to give me a readiing/recording with the orchestra. I was very appreciative of the opportunity and dedicated the piece to the Tampa Bay Symphony.
Well…someone on the orchestral board was highly offended. Thought the pieces was too modern and, if I remember correctionly, that its quality did not rise to the standard of The Tampa Bay Symphony. The board demanded in a legal letter I remove the dedication from all copies of the score and parts.
Jack and I were both shocked but also truly amused. What an “honor” to have one’s dedication of an orchestral work refused (in high dungeon style).
Ah well! Needless to say, they never performed the work. But, thank you Jack, for the opportunity.
