Enough Of What I Think, What’s Your Opinion?
Thu, May 5, 2009
by Drew McManus
The ubiquitous standing ovation. Just about every orchestra musician that blogs has written about this topic at one point or another and most share a common thread; audience response to a lackluster performance with a standing ovation can have an unintentional demoralizing impact. During the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MO) board retreat last week, we talked
So How Do You Really Feel?
Wed, May 5, 2009
by Drew McManus
Lock up the liquor, hide the kids, and brace yourselves as conductor Bill Eddins has something to share on the painful subject of cutting staff. In particular, Eddins directs his in-case-you-miss-the-point-easily-let-me-make-it-painfully-clear pointed commentary squarely at those shouldering the task of deciding which employees stay and which go. His advice is not only well timed but
Hero For Hire
Tue, May 5, 2009
by Drew McManus
Well, I wouldn’t go that far but it is was very humbling to run across this article in the 5/25/2009 edition of sbj.net (Springfield Business Journal Online), thanks to SBJ for taking an interest in the projects and to Ron Spigelman for calling me a “truth seeker” – which sounds vaguely like Marvel comics character.
Mission Accomplished?
Mon, May 5, 2009
by Drew McManus
It has been a little while since we checked in on the situation brewing at the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and since both parties involved in the dispute have recently issued statements; it is high time for an update. If you’re not already familiar with previous events, here is what has happened so far…
Why Do You Rob Banks?
Fri, May 5, 2009
by Drew McManus
“Because that’s where the money is.” In the same manner, if you want creative outreach programs, let the musicians figure out how to do it and let them oversee the monetary distribution process. To that end, I discovered a program here at the Springfield (MO) Symphony Orchestra (SSO) designed to do exactly that and I
