The world of music is global indeed. Great musicians have originated from a bewildering array of places, studied far from home and made their careers around the world. The United States of America can claim its share of eminent instrumentalists and singers, giving birth to some, training others and nurturing the careers of still others.
The same can hardly be said, though, for conductors and composers.
You may know the names of the conductors who head the major American symphony orchestras -- Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and New York. How many are American born or trained? None? Let's add Detroit, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Montreal, Canada. How many? Well . . . Baltimore, Cincinnati, Houston, Minneapolis and Saint Louis?