More on Orchestra Radio

It’s truly a small business. Just last week I wrote a blog about orchestras owning radio stations, in turn a reader pointed me in the direction of KING-fm classical radio in Seattle . After getting in touch with the radio station for information, I was contacted by Bob Goldfarb the KING-fm program director, and another ArtsJournal blogger…

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Considering an Arts Administration degree?

Then you should go out of your way to obtain a copy of: Joe Maddy of Interlochen, by Norma Lee Browning.  Published in 1963 by Henry Regnery Company, Chicago, IL.   Even if you’re not considering an arts degree, you should read this book to learn about how an arts organization can start from nothing, survive the depression, and constantly control of its own future.    Unfortunately, it’s out of print, …

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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…

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Making better musicians for today and tomorrow

Historically, most orchestra musicians take a very passive role in how their orchestra functions; artistically, and administratively.  They play the music and administrators make the decisions, end of story.  But one orchestra has taken a large step toward moving musicians from passive to active participants.  The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra recently underwent a massive transformation that now provides a much larger role for musician participation.  You can find a great deal …

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I’m not the only one complaining about prices

I just ran across this article in the NY Times by John Rockwell entitled Turn-Ons: Classical Concerts. Turnoffs: Sticker-Shock Tickets.  We seem to have similar opinions about the inflated cost of orchestra tickets.    Here’s a teaser: “Museums attract the young because people know they are a good deal: low prices for everyone, and once you’re in, you’re equal to everyone else.”   What are you waiting for?  Go read the rest …

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