Present Music by Secret Ballot

Present Music has become the most successful and one of the most important new music groups in America because of the taste and vision of Kevin Stalheim. He’s chosen the repertoire and called the shots for three decades, and his audience has grown. They come to his concerts looking for another Stalheim surprise, and he has delivered again and again.

For Saturday’s concert, aptly called Choose, Stalheim tried to bring his audience into the decision-making. Via a series of emails and links sent to ticketholders, he gave his patrons a chance to vote on the repertoire for Saturday’s program. The response is about like that of the Iowa Republican caucus; about 7% participated.

But Stalheim hasn’t given up on musical democracy.

“We had about 60 votes,” Stalheim said. “That’s a lot more than zero. One thing I learned from this is that it’s amazing how many people don’t open their email.”

The Present Music email list is in the thousands, but Stalheim still followed through on the election. As in real politics, the activist squeaky wheels will get their way. So who won? That’s a secret, to be revealed only at concert time Saturday. (Donald Erb’s Souvenir was the only piece disclosed, and that was not part of the process.)

“I’m not sure about this,” Stalheim said, “but I think one of the composers lobbied the voters. Sort of the way baseball teams lobby for All-Star votes.”

Well, democracy isn’t pretty.

“I think we can tighten it up,” Stalheim said. “I want to cultivate the process more. I like the idea of it, because I want people to see what my job is like. I go to websites and listen to a lot of music by a lot of composers. Once people know that this whole new music world is out there on the web, they’ll see how huge and interesting it is. It will open a whole new adventure to people.”

Concert time is 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Saturday, Jan. 7, at Turner Hall Ballroom, 1032 N. 4th St.

Tickets are $15-$35. They are available online until noon Saturday, Jan. 7, or phone (414) 271-0711 until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6. Students must order by phone. Non-discounted tickets will be available at Turner Hall Ballroom starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.