With all of the chatter about who makes decisions and who communicates or doesn't communicate, who's left out, who's mad, who's happy, in 50 years from now, all that will be remembered is that Marin Alsop was indeed the 'first' female conductor of a 'major' orchestra and did a splendid job as she climbed the ladder of success. The boards and executive staff are often not recalled over 20 years, but indeed, their decisions are important in the present. I hope they will achieve their communicative aspirations amongst themselves and will relish in the appointment of Marin Alsop. Set aside that she is dubbed the first female music director of a major orchestra(JoAnn Falletta has Buffalo and Virginia, and er, Marin did have Colorado--what exactly does major mean anymore?), Marin is best respected for her range of repertoire and rapport with musicians. For everyone who has witnessed her career from the start, good luck to you, Marin and the BSO!