Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

What’s up With Destroying Things

Fri, Mar 3, 2005
For those of you stopping by today to read the final installment in the Harvest, Build, and Destroy series, I have to offer my apologies.  Due to some last minute preparations for meeting with my accountant (taxes!), I wasn’t able to put the finishing touches on the article; however, it will be published on Monday

Harvest, Build, And Destroy – Part 2

Thu, Mar 3, 2005
Part 1 of this series concluded by asking if it’s possible for musicians to pay more attention to administrative activities without also having to sacrifice their artistic duties.  Is it possible to harvest resources, build procedures, and destroy a competitor’s opportunity to act in bad faith? It is possible to accomplish those goals without also

Harvest, Build, And Destroy – Part 1

Wed, Mar 3, 2005
There’s little doubt that the recent events surrounding the breakdown of negotiations at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will be examined in minute detail over the coming months; who did what, 20/20 hindsight, etc.  These examinations will more than likely result in some improved tactics for both managers and musicians for future contract negotiations.

Stealing From Terry Teachout

Tue, Mar 3, 2005
After reading Terry’s weblog article yesterday I decided it was a great idea and promptly decided to “borrow” it (after all, he openly admits he got the idea from Eve Tushnet). Ten Things I’ve Done That You Probably Haven’t (and perhaps wouldn’t want to): While in college, I accidentally signed to my sign language teacher, and her

Reader Response: Audience Participation

Mon, Feb 2, 2005
The recent series of ongoing discussions about the concert experience among those who participate in the cultural blog world has generated a great deal of poignant observation.  The majority of the discussions as of late have focused on whether or not he concert environment as it currently exists is everything it could be and what

The Cost Of Changes At Interlochen

Sun, Feb 2, 2005
Among all the problems Interlochen administrators have articulated that pose a large threat to the institution’s future is an impending financial crisis.

Some Feedback On Management Philosophy

Sat, Feb 2, 2005
In response to yesterday’s article about managers who allow a “musicians are only part time employees” philosophy to become an obstacle to growth in the business, there have been a few new public examinations of the issue. One such observation comes from Patricia Mitchell at oboeinsight wrote what I think is one of the most

Destructive Management Philosophy

Fri, Feb 2, 2005
One of the issues this blog is devoted to is the ongoing discussions and examination of orchestra management philosophy.  Even the seemingly innocent of attitudes and beliefs held by an orchestra’s executive management arguably shape organization’s future.

CALLING ALL CARTOONISTS

Thu, Feb 2, 2005
I’m looking for a cartoonist somewhere out there who is interested in doing an ongoing project here at Adaptistration.  My artistic ability is on par with Harvey Pekar (limited to crude stick figures) so looking for talent elsewhere is the only available option. Requirements Artistic ability and enjoy drawing cartoons, B/W and color You can

What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Oboists…

Wed, Feb 2, 2005
I had to laugh out loud today at a comment I read in Patricia Mitchell’s blog, obeinsight.  She recounts a story about when a patron once asked her what goes through her mind when she plays, this was her answer: “I wanted to tell her I was trying to decide if I would have my
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