Have you ever wondered what separates a mere schmuck with a stick from a bona fide maestro? Are you strangely attracted by the magnetic charm of a cape and ascot? Are batons really more magical than magic wands? If you answered “Oh dear God, YES!” to any of those questions (who are you kidding, of course you did), then brace yourself for one of the most remarkable websites endorsed by one of the most mystical maestros of our time…
Year: 2010
Labor Oversupply: Reversal To The Rule
The 7/5/2010 edition of the New York Times published an article by Dan Wakin that examined the uncharacteristically large number of section, fixed chair, and principal positions open among the largest budget US orchestras. What’s interesting here is the groups in Wakin’s article are destination level ensembles, meaning these are the orchestras where the very best musicians aspire to win a position, it won’t be surprising to see these groups adopt practices usually associated with labor shortages…
What The Richardson Symphony Should Have Done
The Sunday, 7/10/2010 edition of the Dallas Morning News published an article by music critic Scott Cantrell that calls the labor dispute between the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and its musicians a “showdown.” That description certainly adds to the western flavor of events, nonetheless, the RSO could have employed a much better solution that would have avoided all of this conflict…
Defining The Debate In Richardson
The labor dispute between the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and their musicians, represented by Local 72-147 of the American Federation of Musicians, has crossed a new threshold in the war of rhetoric. Email messages from both parties dated 7/8/2010 and addressed to RSO musicians attempt to define the issues that characterize the dispute…
Midlife Crisis Or Chrysalis?
Deadlines are ruling my week but that’s a good thing for you since it means I can make today’s post a straightforward pointer. Conductor Jacob Harrison published an intriguing post on 7/5/2010 that expands on the burgeoning “Relevance” discussion (frankly, I’m not sure what to call it). Regardless of whether you see the discussion as an over-hyped midlife crisis or a fundamental midlife chrysalis, Harrison’s piece is worth your time. Once …