2013 – Page 16 – Adaptistration

Talking About The Minnesota Orchestra With WWFM’s Rachel Katz

Thursday, September 12th, 2013 by Drew McManus

WWFM, The Classical Network, broadcast an episode of A Tempo with host Rachel Katz on 9/7/2013 where I had the privilege of talking with Katz about some of the broader issues related to the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) labor dispute such as proposed work rule changes and musician duties and responsibilities along with how all of this fits into today’s contemporary bargaining environment. It is interesting to listen to the interview …

Minnesota’s Eleventh(ish) Hour

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013 by Drew McManus

Although it was anticipated that Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) music director Osmo Vanska would make a decision this week about whether or not he would resign, it appears that the cycle of hurry up and wait has been extended to 9/30/2013. And when they say the 30th that apparently means the 15th. Confused? You should be. Specifically, although Vanska has apparently indicated that he now needs rehearsals to resume by the …

NY City Opera’s New Model Sputters Before It Starts

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013 by Drew McManus

Hot on the heels of massive concessions won in spite of widespread and intense artist pushback, the New York City Opera (NYCO) is failing to achieve the sustainability it claimed would follow the controversial model that general manager and artistic director George Steel described as “paying people only for the work that they do.” Steel’s full quote, from a 2012 NYCO press statement and subsequently published by WQXR, was the crux …

Editorial Cartoon: Rigor Mortis

Monday, September 9th, 2013 by Drew McManus

Adaptistration’s editorial cartoonist, Paul Dixon, is concerned about the Minnesota Orchestra Association’s (MOA) direction and decided it was high time to say something about it. And since today marks the threshold for when MOA music director Osmo Vanska announced he would resign at any moment if the lockout isn’t ended and the ensemble is back to rehearsals, Dixon’s contribution couldn’t be better timed.

Nothing’s Changed, It’s Still All About Power

Friday, September 6th, 2013 by Drew McManus

One of the most common questions coming in from readers, colleagues, and friends about the Minnesota Orchestra dispute is why; people are befuddled over why things have become this bad and why there’s no apparent end in sight. The answer is simple and it has little to do with budgets, sustainability, competitiveness, excellence, or any of the other jargon grenades lobbed back and forth in the now all-too-predictable press statements. This …