Actually, I’m coming home from Eastman today but that really doesn’t matter. Yesterday, I was a featured guest lecturer for Eastman’s “Realities of Orchestra Life” course, offered through their unique Institute for Music Leadership. I delivered a lecture entitled Determining A Bargaining Position: How musicians can use observation, communication, and analysis to determine their value

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here at the [fill-in-the-blank] Symphony Orchestra but it’s just my time to move on to new challenges. I want you and everyone in the organization to know that I’ve helped contribute to a wonderful group with an important mission”. Throw in a few more warm and fuzzy adjectives, make a

It seems that even the managers in a country with a state sponsored healthcare insurance program still have to worry about unexpected increases in contributions. It’s nice to know American orchestra managers aren’t alone in that nightmare…

This installment will answer the questions from the conclusion of Part 1 as well as examine additional issues surrounding how the RSO plans to deal with continued artistic and customer service issues while living a nomadic existence throughout the coming years…

The next two organizations in this series of follow-up articles are the Kansas City Symphony and the Richmond Symphony…

The Partial Observer just published the latest article in my series of interviews with prominent individuals inside the classical music business. This installment conducts a Q&A session with Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster, Frank Almond. If you’re expecting a run-of-the-mill, PR driven puff piece, then I’m sorry to say you’ll be disappointed. Stop by and see