Adaptistration

Getting Empowered in Columbus

Although the topic usually doesn’t get much attention beyond the discussion stage, discovering meaningful ways to empower patrons is critical for the future success of this business. Fortunately, the internet offers a wide range of tools to those with the energy, concern, and inclination to build interest in their local orchestra. One superb example recently popped up in Columbus, Ohio when three patrons banded together to create symphonystrong.com. My Inside The Arts blogging neighbor, Ron Spigelman, recently published an excellent article on the trio’s efforts and a Columbus alternative newspaper published a feature around the same time. I won’t bother to repeat what both articles have already stated so well but I do want to point out one of the more innovative features at the symphonystrong.com website: the series of videos where figures throughout the local Columbus cultural scene express support for the website and its mission. I think the vids are a great addition and they inspired me to put together one of my own for symphony strong.com. After all, why should Columbus locals get to have all the fun? At the same time, putting together something elaborate wasn’t an option and yes, I had to take a phone call while the footage was being shot but as they say, it’s the thought that counts. You can find my contribution at the tail end of vids populating the symphonystrong.com website or you can watch it via the video player to your left and a larger version is availalbe here (sorry for not writing the text larger).

Speaking of using the internet and videos to spread a message, if you haven’t checked out the players’ association website for the musicians of the Arizona Opera, you should. Musician and web developer Bruce Hembd did a great job at putting together a well designed site that’s chocked full of even better content. Bruce even wrote an article about the process he used to implement the project, which was recently published at polyphonic.org.

Create The Market

I ran across an interesting blog post at evancarmichael.com about Akio Morita, founder of Sony. Within a series of installments that chronicle the growth of Morita's company, there is one post called "Create the Market Where There Is None." The article goes on to examine some specific components where Sony profited by focusing on creating a market as opposed to meeting a perceived demand and although those examples don't necessarily apply to the business of creating live orchestra classical music, the strategic thinking behind those ideas fit like a glove…

Another Perspective On Conductors Talking From The Podium

Has talking before each piece taken the mojo out of a performance? I know from personal experience that in the past few seasons I've found myself wishing that the conductor would wrap it up and get to the music. On other occasions, I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to what a conductor has to say, regardless of how long he or she takes. However, The Partial Observer published an article by Holly Mulcahy that examines the issue from an intriguing perspective, one which asks whether presenting an interpretation during a pre-performance talk can rob a listener of their own perceptive. It left me wondering if efforts to reach out to listeners can actually turn some away.

I Wonder What They Would Do For Ticket Sales

An article in the 2/13/2008 edition of The Hollywood Reporter examines a NYU study that determined blog posts can triple album sales. This is an early step toward quantifying the impact new media has on the cultural consciousness…

Getting Back On The Psychologist’s Couch

Yesterday, my blogging neighbor, Jason Heath, posted an article at Arts Addictwhich touches on the psychology of performers and how it impacts interpersonal artistic relationships. It is a great topic and made me think about how the orchestra business could take better advantage of consumer psychology when approaching audience development…

Substance Over Shadows

Last week’s article examining how orchestras should approach using new online technologies generated a great deal of interest. As it turns out, it was also well-timed as the Minnesota Orchestra (MN Orch) launched a website during the same week designed to feature nearly all of the online tools discussed in the article. The website came to my attention via an invitation at Facebook from Sam Bergman, MO violist, to attend a concert event from a series that is the new website’s namesake Inside The Classics. The website’s home page, (featured to your left, click to enlarge), is dominated by photos of Bergman and MO assistant conductor Sarah Hatsuko Hicks and demonstrates that this is not a typical orchestra website project…

Some "Adults Only" Virtual Learning

You have to love the internet. It is always insightful to see what and how the current generations of college students are thinking. To that end, the ever-resourceful Ron Spigelman encouraged his current class of students enrolled in Drury University's MUSC 284: Audience Connection to respond to an article written by Holly Mulcahy on the topic of adult education entitled Adults Only. In addition to teaching this class Ron is also the Music Director for the Springfield (MO) Symphony...

Embracing The Supply And Demand Argument

Any manager who has been in this business for more than a few months has likely encountered the frustrating public argument of classical music and supply vs. demand. The argument is so stale most managers could recite both sides of the discussion at the drop of a hat. It usually goes something like this...

Adults Only

Adult education programs is a well worn topic here at Adaptistration and regular readers already know that I favor a sizeable increase in the quantity and quality of educational activities targeted directly toward adults. Meaning, it is high time to move beyond the static lecture style activities which focus on having someone talk at a group of people...

Not Your Everyday Attendance Woes In Cincinnati

At least, that's the picture depicted in the Cincinnati Enquirer from an article written by Janelle Gelfand and Cliff Peale...

The Ticket Price Formerly Known As Excessive

An article at CNN.com yesterday reports that Prince recently announced fans will be able to purchase tickets to his upcoming series of concerts in London for much less than the last time he came to town...

Some Initial Volleys At The Value Of Free

Regular readers know the issue of ticket prices is a well worn topic here at Adaptistration but some new perspectives on the subject have surfaced from one of the sharpest up and coming journalists in the business...

A Tale Of Two Ticket Prices

Recently, two orchestras located on opposite coasts have shared some PR spotlight for the same reason: ticket prices...

We Still Need To See A Psychologist

I had a fascinating lunch time conversation yesterday with a manager in my area and we were talking about the usefulness of approaching marketing from the view of a behavioral psychologist. The conversation brought my memory to an article I wrote back in February, 2004 entitled We All Need To Go See A Psychologist...

Gathering Support For Lower Ticket Prices In St. Paul

It's an old story, but one which has become more relevant in recent years: someone in the administration has a plan for audience development but it would initially require losses and results aren't expected for at least a few years; of course, that’s assuming there are any positive results at all. So how do you sell an idea which necessitates a year or two of red ink?

More On The Great Ticket Debate

It seems like the issue of ticket prices is quickly making the rounds among the usual blog suspects. I'm glad to see so many people jumping on board with the discussion, although I know some mangers are sick to death of it; it's something which deserves this level of scrutiny...

It's More About Ticket Prices Than You Think

Back at the beginning of the month, Philadelphia Inquirer music critic, Peter Dobrin, published one of the best articles on classical music and orchestras I've read in the mainstream media this year. Unfortunately, it was swallowed up by the more pressing news events of Hurricane Katrina. Nevertheless, it's worth examining now...

Ticket Price And Competition

Colleague and fellow AJ blogger Andrew Taylor wrote a good article on Monday   comparing the rising cost of tickets at the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Red Sox... 

We All Need To Go See A Psychologist

There is a great deal of talk in the industry about building a new audience, but all that I've read in newspapers and discussed with those in the industry tends to focus on "things" to help solve the problem.  But in a recent Reader Response letter from Emily in Toronto, she says "...orchestras haven't meant to shut people out, but it would seem that some people have been alienated."  This is a very poignant statement that helps us begin to realize that it's an atmosphere which surrounds the entire concert experience that is alienating many younger patrons.

The trouble is that you can't really put your finger on any one "thing" because it's not a "thing" that is to blame.   What needs to change is the fundamental feeling a person has when they walk into a concert hall. And even adding some friendly Starbucks kiosks won't solve the problem (but speaking as a caffeine addict, it certainly isn't a bad idea).  Here's what should happen: orchestras need to hire a psychologist to help find a way to address this problem head on.

A good psychologist will be able to help identify the fundamental problem and find a way to make the atmosphere of an orchestra concert welcoming, friendly, and comfortable for everyone - an atmosphere that will make them want to return.  I don't think anyone wants a "touchy-feely" environment, and that's a pit fall that should be actively avoided given the vast amounts of trendy pop psychology today.  Sorry, Dr. Phil should not be on the top of the list to call.

What do you think, is there an atmosphere that alienates a large percentage of people from enjoying the orchestra experience?  Is psychology the answer?   

Reader Response: A Student's view on ticket price

It's funny how quickly we forget what our lives were like in our younger years. Recently I've been criticizing the industry for high ticket prices that exclude many young patrons. Several orchestra administrators have written in to remind me that their orchestras (as do most) offer student rush tickets for around the cost of a movie ticket. Although I did point out in the earlier article that these tickets have restricts and are few in numbers, I forgot how absolutely frustrating and demeaning an experience obtaining those tickets can be...

Reader Response: Talk is cheap, tickets aren't

I received quite a few responses from orchestra managers challenging my point of view regarding the recent article about orchestra ticket prices . One of which came from Curt Long, the Executive Director for the Dayton Philharmonic...

Talk is cheap, tickets aren't

Audience development is a big issue in this industry. Attendance is down, younger patrons are harder to attract, and subscription series are getting increasingly difficult to sell. In addition to all of the cultural, social, and marketing issues involved with this problem, I think a widely overlooked area is the cost of single tickets...