The Things People Say

The Partial Observer published an article of mine today which focuses on the two high profile events surrounding musicians being replaced by recorded music: the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Radio City Music Hall’s “Christmas Spectacular”. True to form, these labor oriented disputes have produced some real quote gems, my favorite is the one from Jay Marciano, president of Radio City Entertainment, when he told a reporter from 1010 WINS radio …

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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.

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Off To Eastman Today

Actually, I’m coming home from Eastman today but that really doesn’t matter. Yesterday, I was a featured guest lecturer for Eastman’s “Realities of Orchestra Life” course, offered through their unique Institute for Music Leadership. I delivered a lecture entitled Determining A Bargaining Position: How musicians can use observation, communication, and analysis to determine their value in a relentlessly changing environment. The students were just as much fun as last year and …

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Take This Job And Shove It

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here at the [fill-in-the-blank] Symphony Orchestra but it’s just my time to move on to new challenges. I want you and everyone in the organization to know that I’ve helped contribute to a wonderful group with an important mission”. Throw in a few more warm and fuzzy adjectives, make a mental note to swipe some last moment office supplies, duck out a few hours early on your final day, and you have a tidy little Take-This-Job-And-Shove-It package…

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