LPO Relief

LPO & displaced Gulf Coast Region musician information is now located here.

About Drew McManus

"I hear that every time you show up to work with an orchestra, people get fired." Those were the first words out of an executive's mouth after her board chair introduced us. That executive is now a dear colleague and friend but the day that consulting contract began with her orchestra, she was convinced I was a hatchet-man brought in by the board to clean house.

I understand where the trepidation comes from as a great deal of my consulting and technology provider work for arts organizations involves due diligence, separating fact from fiction, interpreting spin, as well as performance review and oversight. So yes, sometimes that work results in one or two individuals "aggressively embracing career change" but far more often than not, it reinforces and clarifies exactly what works and why.

In short, it doesn't matter if you know where all the bodies are buried if you can't keep your own clients out of the ground, and I'm fortunate enough to say that for more than 15 years, I've done exactly that for groups of all budget size from Qatar to Kathmandu.

For fun, I write a daily blog about the orchestra business, provide a platform for arts insiders to speak their mind, keep track of what people in this business get paid, help write a satirical cartoon about orchestra life, hack the arts, and love a good coffee drink.

1 thought on “LPO Relief”

  1. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is participating in a special “Arts to the Rescue” concert on October 18 at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus. The evening will feature a variety of music, dance, and drama from Columbus’ leading arts organizations, including BalletMet, CATCO, Columbus Children’s Theatre, Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Opera Columbus, Phoenix Theatre for Children, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, and Thurber House’s Thurber Chamber Theatre. The program will include music from the heart of New Orleans and from around the world. Throughout the evening, students from Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), will create artwork inspired by what they see and hear on stage. Those attending the concert will have an opportunity to purchase the artwork after the performance. All proceeds will benefit and support arts organizations and artists affected by the hurricanes. Grants will be made to the Southern Arts Federation for direct service to victims in arts related fields. Donations may be gifted to the Arts to the Rescue Fund of The Columbus Foundation.

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