All Entries in the "Current Events" Category
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…)
The French Are Not As Forgiving
Dan Wakin’s article in the 3/3/2010 edition of the New York Times does an excellent job at reporting on the Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra’s working conditions. According to his report, the musicians earn $40 per concert with no per diems and a number of the musicians go on record talking about unsatisfactory working and travel conditions. If this doesn’t sound familiar, it should. At the end of 2005, conductor Volker Hartung and his Cologne New Philharmonic made international news after French authorities arrested and jailed him for two days as a result of breaking French labor law… (more…)
A Tale Of Two Everetts
Apparently displeased with the decision from earlier this season to go dark, it seems as though the musicians from the Everett Symphony Orchestra have taken the adage “if you want something done right, do It yourself” to heart. At the same time, the musician driven initiative has brought on board a local arts manager, current Tacoma Youth Symphony executive director Loma Cobbs, to run the new performing arts organization… (more…)
Name That Anthem
Remember when everyone was up in arms at the past few Olympics over the deplorable rendition of the U.S. National Anthem? Well, it seems that the 2010 Winter games in Vancouver have broken free of that dark cycle by reinstating a more ‘merican version of the National Anthem (IMHO, it’s a little slow but I like it). Frankly, no one out-anthem’s the Chicago Blackhawks version with Jim Cornelison. If you want to have some real anthem related fun, slate magazine published a guess that anthem listening quiz on 2/11/2009, but before you head over, listen to the Blackhawks version below… (more…)
Here’s To A Strong 2010
By and large, 2009 was a tough year for the field and although some groups will continue to stumble in the weeds, others are making progress on finding institutional balance while several are well on the way to stabilization. For example, the Charlotte Symphony released a statement on 12/31/09 announcing a new program to build annual operating revenue following the successful completion of an ambitious bridge fund campaign. Conversely, news out of Cleveland via Zachary Lewis at The Plain Dealer reports on brewing labor issues… (more…)
Weekend Special Report: Honolulu Files For Bankruptcy
As with most devastating announcements, the news that the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (HSO) will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is disappointing. There are numerous articles available on the announcement, which you can locate via a news search at Google, and once stakeholders have had a moment to process the initial information, here are some items they may want to consider… (more…)
Ballet Hawaii Stands Up For Live Orchestra Music
As leaders at the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (HSO) continue to promise then postpone news about the beleaguered organization’s fate, Ballet Hawaii has gone on record saying that they intend to use live music for their annual Nutcracker performances. Traditionally, the Ballet uses the HSO for the concerts, however, those plans could be interrupted if the HSO decides to file bankruptcy and cancel remaining concerts. Hawaii News Now produced a television segment about the HSO and Ballet that quotes representatives from the Ballet saying that they can’t imagine performing without live music… (more…)
Honolulu Update: Hurry Up And Wait
Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (HSO) board chair, Peter Shaindlin, postponed a scheduled announcement about the organization’s immediate future as well as a meeting with city officials to discuss the orchestra’s economic position. An article in the 11/4/09 edition of the Honolulu Adviser reported city officials saying they found the cancellation “…frustrating and disappointing.” Furthermore, KITZ.com reports the musicians’ union has filed a complaint with the federal labor board following shortages as high as 50 percent in their most recent paychecks… (more…)
Honolulu’s Paint Isn’t Even Dry But It’s Starting To Peel
Not even two months after the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (HSO) appointed Majken Mechling as Executive Director and reports are already flying around that the organization may file bankruptcy as early as today. According to a report in the 11/3/09 edition of the Honolulu Adviser by Rick Daysog the “symphony’s board of directors held a special meeting [last Friday] to discuss the organization’s continued financial problems and discussed a potential bankruptcy filing and other options”… (more…)
A Brief Detour
My apologies to everyone showing up today looking for Part 2 from A Worthwhile Concessionary Agreement but while traveling the road of acquiring some necessary permissions we have hit a few potholes; in particular, the gods of travel and digital communication have not been smiling on our venture. Nonetheless, Part 2 will be posted as soon as possible. In the meantime, I received an interesting press release on behalf of former Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) music director, Mario Venzago, containing a statement from the conductor on events related to his non-renewal… (more…)
Apparently, Philadelphia Is Out Of Alignment
Since next week features the 2009 Orchestra Website Reviews, it makes sense to fit in some time to examine the news out of Philadelphia about that orchestra’s new chief administrator. According to statements made by Philadelphia Orchestra board chair, Richard B. Worley, Allison Vulgamore will be taking over as the executive administrator on or about February 1, 2010… (more…)
It Looks Like Utah Has A New Music Director
While conducting the 2009 Orchestra Website Reviews evaluations, I stumbled across a page at the Utah Symphony website that indicates their new music director is Swiss conductor Thierry Fischer. Fischer is currently the Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Chief Conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic. The official press release is available here and the music director webpage is located here. The orchestra will presumably make a public announcement later this afternoon. (more…)
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Adaptistration is authored by orchestra consultant Drew McManus and since its launch in 2003, the blog has become standard reading for arts administrators and arts administration programs throughout the world.
