Sprucing Up The Homestead
Thu, Dec 12, 2007
by Drew McManus
After remaining relatively static for two year, it was high time to update my consulting website. First order of business was to freshen up the site’s color palette and to that end I ran across an absolutely fantastic website that makes it easy to put together a tight color-coordinated theme…
Impending Health Care Coverage Cancellation In Jacksonville
Wed, Dec 12, 2007
by Drew McManus
In a letter from the Jacksonville Symphony Association (JSA) to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) musicians, the JSA will cancel musician health care coverage after December 31, 2007 unless an agreement between the two parties is reached beforehand…
Point-Counterpoint In Jacksonville
Tue, Dec 12, 2007
by Drew McManus
As the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) lockout continues, both sides have started to release more information about their respective positions. Initially, the Jacksonville Symphony Association (JSA) published a document at their website which presents their positions and a few days later, the musicians published a response at their website…
Breaking News: JSO Musicians File Unfair Labor Practice
Mon, Dec 12, 2007
by Drew McManus
According to a press release issued by the Musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, they have filed an unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board against the Jacksonville Symphony Association (JSA). The charge claims that the JSA unlawfully locked the musicians out…
Walking In Eyes Wide Open
Mon, Dec 12, 2007
by Drew McManus
The Partial Observer published an article today by Holly Mulcahy which examines how aspiring musicians learn about their desired career path. More to the point, she talks about how high school and undergraduate students don’t learn enough about the realities of becoming a professional musician unless they are fortunate enough to encounter a private teacher
Breaking News: JSO Negotiation Update
Fri, Nov 11, 2007
by Drew McManus
In an email message from Friday morning, 11/30/2007, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) Executive Director, Alan Hopper, confirmed that if an agreement between the Association and the musicians is not reached before the end of next week then “the Nutcracker would go on with recorded music as do many Nutcrackers around the country.” In a comprehensive
Learning From Past Mistakes
Fri, Nov 11, 2007
by Drew McManus
John Stoehr, Charleston (S.C.) City Paper Arts Editor and co-author of the blog Flyover, published a piece at his City Paper blog entitled JSO Board Needs to Do Its Damn Job. Although the piece is loaded with fantastic content, perhaps the best part is when John articulates the obvious parallels between the financial model/strategic direction
Back To The Bargaining Table In Jacksonville
Thu, Nov 11, 2007
by Drew McManus
According to representatives from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO), bargaining sessions mediated by a Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service mediator with the musicians are scheduled to resume at 12:00 noon ET, Friday, 11/30/2007. At stake immediately is the fate of the First Coast Nutcracker performances, which the JSO is scheduled to provide live music as
Not Feeling Very Social In Jacksonville
Wed, Nov 11, 2007
by Drew McManus
As the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) lockout drags on, orchestra supporters continue to make their voices heard. On 11/26/2007, Marci Gurnow, a clarinetist in the JSO, posted information at JSO Lockdown (a social networking group at Facebook.com) announcing scheduled picketing activities at upcoming First Coast Nutcracker performances. In an effort to help build stronger connections
Getting Back On The Psychologist’s Couch
Tue, Nov 11, 2007
by Drew McManus
Yesterday, my blogging neighbor, Jason Heath, posted an article at Arts Addictwhich touches on the psychology of performers and how it impacts interpersonal artistic relationships. It is a great topic and made me think about how the orchestra business could take better advantage of consumer psychology when approaching audience development…
