Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

People Destroying America: Lynn Harrell

Wed, Jul 7, 2013
Following last week’s discussion about not-so-great satire, today’s post is all about some brilliant satire from the Colbert Report that brings up the feud between Delta Airlines and cellist Lynn Harrell where the former cancelled all miles for the latter’s instrument and personal frequent flyer account. Harrell detailed the events in a blog post back

Steinway’s New Owners See Expanded Market Potential

Tue, Jul 7, 2013
Even though the classical music economic climate might look chilly to some observers, it seems that forecast doesn’t extend to the luxury piano market where a private equity firm, Kohlberg & Company, recently purchased Steinway & Sons for $438 million. Although there was some reasonable trepidation from musicians and classical music presenters over the announcement,

Minnesota May Mediate

Mon, Jul 7, 2013
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The 7/12/13 edition of the Star Tribune published an article by Graydon Royce which reports that the Minnesota Orchestra Association and its musicians have entered into a ten day getting-to-know-you period where both sides will determine if they are comfortable working with a mediator with the goal of resolving the season long labor dispute and

We Have Met The Enemy and He Is Us

Fri, Jul 7, 2013
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The  commencement speech given by Aspen Music Festival and School President and CEO Alan Fletcher during the 2013 Convocation on 6/24/2013 has been making the rounds due, in part, to its approach that some of the recent troubles in the field are the result of self inflicted stakeholder relations problems than merely a down economy. Regular

Tools Of The Trade: 2013

Thu, Jul 7, 2013
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Amidst the summer conference/convention cycle, one of more enjoyable shop-talk conversations that come up is comparing notes on tools used to get stuff done. Consequently, let’s expand the discussion to the extended online crowd and talk about what you use for tools of the trade. Caveats (*) Since part of my business incorporates web development,