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Com m un ity
It's not that Allen objects to perform-
ing standard works. He's especially
attracted to Mozart. "However, the
orchestra has to be not only large
enough but good enough," he says.
Reviewers are likely to cover commu-
nity orchestras performing standard
repertoire, compar-
ing them to other
groups with more
experience. The
poor reviews that
result dampen the
musicians' morale
as well as discour-
aging their audi-
ences.
"The least I can
do is keep the
orchestra unique to
avoid the vulnerability of politics," he
says.
Allen has some other unique ideas
for the Oak Park Symphony.
The orchestra, which rehearses
Tuesday evenings at the Oak Park Civic
Center, holds no auditions. "I'm stick-
ing to the theory of the medieval yeshi-
va, Allen says. "They'll either be
inspired by the program and stick to it,
or be intimidated and seek asylum else-
where."
Composers and performers are
encouraged to bring their own music to
the group. "My goal is to be creative,
not recreative."
Allen, 53, whose music has accom-
panied a Marc Chagall art exhibition at
Park West Gallery in Southfield and
various modern dance performances,
hopes to lead the Oak Park orchestra in
similar multi-media events.
He also looks for the group to repre-
sent a cross-section of the community,
to be a supplement to the music pro-
gram for high school students as well as
a way for seniors to maintain their
interest in music. So far, half the string
section is between 75 and 85 years old.
"The primary vision is that this is an
ambassadorship for the community" he
says.
And, he promises, no rehearsals or
concerts will ever be scheduled on
Jewish holidays.
Allen has spent his life dovetailing
his religious and musical pursuits. An
ordained rabbi who led the
Conservative Congregation Beit Kodesh
in Livonia for eight years, he was an
accomplished jazz trumpeter while still
a high school kid known as Rusty.
Drafted in 1967, he served a year in
the Army Signal Corps. In 1972, he
completed his BA degree in psychology
at Michigan State University before re-
enlisting. This time, he became a mem-
ber of the U.S. Army Band and went
on to teach at the Army School of
Music. In 1983, he received a master's
degree in music composition from
George Washington University.
His rabbinic career began during his
The Oak Park Symphony
Orchestra will hold no
rehearsals or concerts
on Jewish holidays.
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second stint in the army, when, because
of a ruptured eardrum, he was reas-
signed to the chaplain corps. He studied
simultaneously at the Jewish
Theological Seminary and the Academy
for Jewish Religion in New York, where
he was ordained in 1985.
Since leaving Beit Kodesh, Allen has
concentrated almost exclusively on
music. His compositions, which com-
bine Jewish themes with jazz influences,
include "Contractions," which depicts a
kabbalistic image of God; and
"Pilgrimage," a three-part work based
on biblical text from the Song of
Solomon, the Book of Ruth and
Ecclesiastes.
Allen has scored music for local jazz
great Marcus Belgrave and studied pri-
vately with the late William Albright at
the University of Michigan. Most
recently, the Israel Philharmonic
Chamber Ensemble, Detroit's
Scandinavian Symphony and the
Madonna University Music Dept. have
performed his works.
He served as an adjunct instructor in
jazz studies at Madonna University in
Livonia for two semesters and held the
same post at Central Michigan
University in Mount Pleasant.
Allen is volunteering his services for
the Oak Park Symphony, out of faith
that the community can once again
deliver an exciting musical experience
for both the musicians and the commu-
nity.
"I allege if I can get up to bat, I can
get a home run," he says. ❑
Park Symphony
a will resume
in September. For
*tion, call Craig Allen
-9698.