RSS

RSSAll Entries in the "Current Events" Category

Join The Flood Of Support

Join The Flood Of Support

Marc van Bree over at The Dutch Perspective started a campaign to assist the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in recovering from their flood damage in May. He’s calling it “Flood of Support” and his goal is to leverage social networking to raise $1,000 by Aug 1, 2010. You can make a donation here and read more about the project at Marc’s blog. I strongly recommend that everyone post something about all of this at your social networking profile, blog, or website.

Midlife Crisis Or Chrysalis?

Midlife Crisis Or Chrysalis?

Deadlines are ruling my week but that’s a good thing for you since it means I can make today’s post a straightforward pointer. Conductor Jacob Harrison published an intriguing post on 7/5/2010 that expands on the burgeoning “Relevance” discussion (frankly, I’m not sure what to call it). Regardless of whether you see the discussion as an over-hyped midlife crisis or a fundamental midlife chrysalis, Harrison’s piece is worth your time. Once my deadlines are past, I’ll offer some more thoughts on his perspective.

"Forgive me for not shouting whoop-dee-do. I don't expect much to emerge from this." - Andrew Adler

Andrew Adler Couldn’t Be More Right

The 6/27/2010 edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal published a commentary piece by music critic Andrew Adler where the author shares a frank response to the sort of discussions that have been permeating the business. In particular, the recent keynote topics at the latest League conference in Atlanta. It’s (unfortunately) becoming increasingly rare to see candor like Adler’s in traditional media, but the upside is this piece serves as a clear reality check in an otherwise unchecked process… (more…)

Radio Waves And Putting The $ In Orch Busine$$

Radio Waves And Putting The $ In Orch Busine$$

Apparently, it is possible to be in more than one place at the same time. At least, virtually. Yesterday’s edition of culture.wnyc.org published an article by Marlon Bishop that examines the move by Graham Parker, currently the exec of the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, over to lead WQXR that included some of my quotes. On the same day, sfcv.org published an article by Janos Gereben that references the 2010 Compensation Reports… (more…)

Photos From Nashville’s Free Public Concert

Photos From Nashville’s Free Public Concert

As a special weekend treat, we have some photos courtesy of Nashville Symphony Orchestra (NSO) cellist, Stephen Drake, from the NSO’s free public concert that took place on Friday, 5/7/2010. (more…)

Nashville Symphony to Perform Free Public Concert

Nashville Symphony to Perform Free Public Concert

You have to admire their resilience. Mere days since their concert hall was flooded and in the face of months of repairs, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra has scheduled a FREE outdoor public concert this Friday, 5/7/2010. Nashville Symphony Orchestra president and CEO, Alan Valentine, said “…the orchestra has shown over the years that it’s a resilient organization that’s highly responsive to its community. We were able to arrange this event in very short order, and this will help all of us, the orchestra as well as the community, to get back on track as quickly as possible.” Official details are as follows… (more…)

Will Aspen's vote of no confidence bring stability?

Aspen’s Day Of Reckoning?

Unless plans change, members of the faculty, staff, and board of directors of the Aspen Music Festival will conduct a vote of no confidence in president and CEO Alan Fletcher. From a governance perspective, the vote is not actionable in the sense that the board must adopt any course of action based on the outcome. As such, it carries more weight as a political tool and to provide an official forum for board members to entertain stakeholder feedback… (more…)

I Don’t Even Know Where To Begin With This

I Don’t Even Know Where To Begin With This

We all know products have to be advertised but this video spot for Depend undergarments titled “Orchestra” is utterly ridiculous. Try to set aside the annoying inaccuracies such as pulling open the curtain on the downbeat and the “conductor” that isn’t conducting with the beat and just pretend not to notice the “magic wand” reference (note to self: don’t hire copy writers who wear Harry Potter t-shirts to the office). Sadly, those are the advertisement’s highlights but enough words, just watch the video… (more…)

“An Illegal Lockout” In Charleston

“An Illegal Lockout” In Charleston

According to a representative speaking on behalf of the Players Association of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (PACSO) the official position of the musicians and its union, Coastal Carolina Association of Professional Musicians Local 502, have stated that they consider the Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) decision to suspend operations “an illegal lockout and we are pursuing it to the fullest extent of the law.”… (more…)

Charleston Goes Dark

Charleston Goes Dark

According to a report from Adam Parker in the 3/29/2010 edition of The Charleston Post and Courier, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has suspended operations for the remainder of the 2009/10 season. The news was announced to musicians following the organization’s Sunday concert and to the public via a press release issued the same day. The Post and Courier article reports CSO board president Ted Legasey as saying the suspension is an effort to avoid bankruptcy… (more…)

Killing Off The Audience?

Killing Off The Audience?

Just a few pointers today centered around the same theme. First, conductor Bill Eddins is in full rant mode in his post How To Make Sure We Don’t Have An Audience in 20 years – Part The First where he levels his ire on the practice of closed rehearsals. This reminded me of an entire series of posts by Holly Mulcahy entitled How To Alienate Your Audience in 10 Easy Steps. Installments examine how each stakeholder group shares the blame: music directors, musicians, managers, and patrons. With all this irritation, you’d think something has got to give.

And You Thought The AFM Was Tough

And You Thought The AFM Was Tough

You’ve probably read about the 2/28/2010 “incident” at Italy’s famed Pantheon where employees stopped a concert before it was over because it was closing time (thus prompting musician and audience ire). The incident embarrassed the Italian government enough that it ultimately prompted Italian Culture Minister Sandro Bondi to issue an official apology to the Russian musicians. But did you know there was video… (more…)

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes