Adaptistration

Progress On The Internal Service Project - Interlochen Index

Although it is slow going, progress is being made at Adaptistration's Internal Service Project which is designed to fix all of the broken links and missing graphics that resulted from switching to an independent server in October, 2007. One advancement recently completed was creating a separate index for and restoring all 24 of the articles about the Interlochen Center for the Arts…

Still No Word From Interlochen

To date, representatives from the Interlochen Center for the Arts (ICA) have not returned or even acknowledged my requests for information regarding attendance figures from recent years. The request was submitted to ICA after comments from Jeff Kimpton, ICA president, appeared in the press.

The Latest Interlochen Spin

The 2005 Arts Camp session is over; the final strains of Les Preludes have drifted away and now reside only as memories in the minds of those who were there this summer. Unfortunately, there seems to be a great deal of spin drifting out of the president's office as well..

Reader Response: Ethical Dilemma At Interlochen

I recently received a note from an individual who asked to be identified as "a former loyal employee" of Interlochen. They have some intense viewpoints regarding the decisions made by the new administrators over the past year.

The Cost Of Changes At Interlochen

Among all the problems Interlochen administrators have articulated that pose a large threat to the institution's future is an impending financial crisis.

The Value Of Sincerity At Interlochen

Ever since Interlochen's 2004 Thanksgiving Massacre there's been a swell of media attention surrounding the sincerity behind the motives of Interlochen's administrative leaders. 

Interlochen Articles

For the benefit of all the readers who have asked about the Interlochen articles mentioned in the 1/5/05 issue of the New York Times by Daniel Wakin, you can find an index to all of the articles here: http://www.adaptistration.com/adaptistration/interlochen/index.html

The Turnover In Music Faculty At Interlochen

Recently, the Interlochen Center for the Arts website posted the faculty list for the 2005 summer camp season.  The list goes a long way in helping to clear up much of the ongoing discussion regarding exactly how many music faculty were dismissed in the recent"Thanksgiving week Massacre ."

Expressing Your Concern To Interlochen

A great number of concerned Interlochen alumni and supporters have written asking me what I think they should do: "Should I write a letter? Should I make phone calls? Should I just keep quiet?"  As a result of those many requests, I have put together a contact list of the Interlochen Trustees and Alumni Council and a template letter to help you get started.

A Sad Day, The Passing Of Fred Fennell

In the morning of Tuesday, December 7th, 2004 music legend Fred Fennell passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90.  For those who run around exclusively in orchestra circles you may not readily place Fred's name with his achievements.

How Vs. Why

How important is process an organization uses to achieve a goal?  I've been putting some extra thought into this question lately because an increasing number of nonprofit organizations have been doing one of two things: improving the internal relationship between constituents via an inclusive shared process or damaging those relationships with a faulty process.

Interlochen's Thanksgiving Week Massacre

There's an article in the Traverse City Record Eagle by Tom Carr today that reports that the Interlochen Center for the Arts (ICA) has undertaken a "Thanksgiving week massacre" and:

" mailed pink slips to 37 summer camp instructors, some of whom taught there for decades."

When asked why they decided to terminate so many contracts, the article quotes ICA president Jeff Kimpton as saying...

The Value Of Ensemble Experience At Interlochen

Recently I've received a few letters from folks with a connection to Interlochen in one form or another who wanted to remind me about the value of the summer camp's large ensemble experience.

What Is The Value Of Input At Interlochen?

What is the purpose of a non-profit organization?  According to Federal Government a non profit organization or company is established for charitable, educational, or humanitarian purposes and not for making money.

At Interlochen, The Future Isn't Very Unique

Fellow AJ blogger Andrew Taylor recently wrote an interesting article about how to go about assessing value for "something vague and amorphous" like a weblog.  Andrew goes on to say that arts managers are doing exactly the same thing each and every day for their organizations.

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire At Interlochen

The past several months have been a very traumatic time for me with regard to Interlochen, and the past few weeks have been the most wrenching.

Words From A Recent Interlochen Camper

Usually, life's painful lessons take time to learn.  But every now and then someone will come along and see past what they feel and think in the here and now and gaze into the future.

The "Challenges" Facing Interlochen Part 4

At the conclusion of Part 3 I left off with the promise of presenting a challenge system designed to maintain the benefits of the old system as well as address some of the observations and concerns expressed to me by the more than 80 Interlochen faculty members I interviewed. 

The "Challenges" Facing Interlochen Part 3

To continue where I left off in Part 2, I'll continue analyzing the rational for eliminating the challenge system as provided during my interview with Michael Albaugh, Interlochen's Director of Music.

The "Challenges" Facing Interlochen Part 1

Picking up where I left off from the end of the decision making articles (Part 1 & Part 2), I am now going to begin examining Interlochen's challenge system in detail.

The "Challenges" Facing Interlochen Part 2

To continue where I left off in The "Challenges" Facing Interlochen Part 1, I'll now focus on the specific rationale behind why the old challenge system (hereto referred to as "challenges") was eliminated and list the goals of the new audition policy.

The Wrong Way To Make A Decision Part 2

To continue where we left off in  Part 1,we will resume our examination of the flaws in the research process of a major institutional decision. 

The Wrong Way To Make A Decision Part 1

Bad decisions.  They have a wide range of consequences from causing a simple one time annoyance to crippling an entire organization.  Unfortunately, there isn't any single method to follow that will result in guaranteeing the right choice will be made.

Calling All Interlochen Alumni!

A few weeks ago I  wrote a piece about ticket price and competition where I made reference to the infamous Interlochen challenge system.  Since then, one of Adaptistration's readers sent in a note to say that Interlochen has planned to eliminate the challenge system for the 2004 summer camp season. 

Words To Live By

Recently, I wrote about  a wonderful book entitled Joe Maddy of Interlochen.  During my recent re-reading, I took the time to find a few good excerpts that I'll share with everyone from time to time.  For those of you unfamiliar with Interlochen, it is the largest summer arts education program in the world.  Every professional orchestra across the U.S. has at least a few alumni if not dozens among its members.