I couldn’t think a better way to round out this year’s Take a Friend to the Orchestra program. Renowned cellist Lynn Harrell‘s contribution is a touching final passage to an already wonderful series. It serves as a strong reminder that amidst growing conversations questioning classical music’s ideal role in society the one thing that shouldn’t get lost is the power of artistry. Regardless of whether it’s shared with friends, family, or colleagues it brings us together in ways no other art form is capable…
Year: 2010
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Brian Wise
Why limit TAFTO to friends? Why not Take A Date to the Orchestra (TADTO) or perhaps Take More-Than-a-Friend to the Orchestra (TMTAFTO?). Freelance music journalist and WNYC Radio producer Brian Wise was wondering the same thing and being the proactive producer-type of guy that he is, decided to do something about it. His results are infinitely better than reality television and chocked full of useful feedback to the question “What steps could an orchestra take to reach the culturally curious young couple who might otherwise choose a museum as a date venue?”…
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Chris Felcyn
I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Felcyn, producer and program host for Detroit’s WRCJ-FM, 90.9, for the first time only a few months ago. Although we had a great on-air conversation, it was heartening to learn during our off-air chats about his efforts over the years to promote classical music. Chris enthusiastically jumped into the role of TAFTO contributor by putting together three stand-alone audio contributions that feature Chris interacting with concert-goer newbies. Honest and entertaining feedback abounds in each segment (I hope the DSO marketing department is listening)…
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Roger Bourland
Composer, professor, Chair of the UCLA Department of Music, music publisher, and blogger Roger Bourland is a polymathic kind of guy. It’s tough to describe Roger’s contribution but suffice to say, it is undoubtedly a representative example of engaging creativity. If you’re like me, you’ll love it and wonder if the technology exists to crawl around Roger’s mind for an hour just to have a glimpse of what it’s like to experience a live concert event with friends real or imagined…
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Scott Spiegelberg
Back when I maintained a private teaching studio, I used to love teaching adults but it didn’t take long to identify an odd quirk between how adults and children learn. If a child doesn’t get it he/she assumes it will take more effort before it becomes comfortable. With adults, there was a sense that if they couldn’t’ do it in short order, they must not be able to do it. Consequently, Scott’s TAFTO contribution (along with so much of his blog material) made some strong connections between those observations and how the business traditionally approaches audience development…