Video Game Outreach
Fri, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
At Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, one of our guests brought an unusual party game with them. It’s a video game for a PlayStation 2 called Taiko Drum Master (fortunately our guest also brought the PlayStation 2 console with them). I have to say that the game was immensely entertaining to watch and could be very challenging to
Giving Thanks
Thu, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
I received this email yesterday and think it’s the perfect blog for today: Dear Mr. McManus, I discovered your blog four months ago and have enjoyed following many of the articles, it has been most interesting to see the progress of various stories over that time. What is troubling is the frequency of so many
Why Albuquerque Is Just As Important As Chicago
Wed, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
In a brief entry yesterday, I objected to how some journalists focus on all but the smallest percentage of large budget orchestras when referring to the orchestra industry as a whole. It’s simply not representative of this business nor is it appropriate as the vast majority of people across the country are exposed to live
In Pittsburgh The Devil Will Be In The Details
Tue, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
As if things weren’t interesting enough already in Pittsburgh, they’ve just become more intriguing. Now that four of the “Big 5” orchestras have settled their contracts negotiations (more or less) the Pittsburgh Symphony is able to start working with some figures to set their pay future pay scale. If you’re not up to speed on
Some Perspective
Tue, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
An article in today’s New York Times by Daniel J. Wakin focuses on all of the recent contract negotiation settlements among the four of the “Big 5” orchestras. It’s an o.k piece but there’s a basic premise this piece presents (either by Daniel’s design or his editors) that really bothers me; it makes it appear
Open For Debate
Mon, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
I published an article today at The Partial Observer which examines how orchestras can use open rehearsals as an outreach and educational tool to build a stronger, more involved, patron base. Last week, I read an article in the Boston Globe about how the BSO open rehearsals should be a little more inclusive. But the concept
Reader Response: Go Design Some Trash Cans
Sun, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
In response to the article from A Coffee Mug Runs The Cleveland Orchestra, I received the following note from Thomas in Lexington, KY: Subject: dumber than usual Mr. McManus, [Regarding] the Cleveland Orchestra’s coffee mug— most people catch on that they really should read more than just the first entry of results from search engines.
To Tell Or Not To Tell
Fri, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
In Wednesday’s edition of the Dallas Morning News there was an article about the severe financial troubles of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Unfortunately, there seems to be more than enough orchestras with financial trouble these days, but what caught my attention was that the writer, Kristine Hughes, reported in one of the opening paragraphs: “[Richardson
Domestic Partner Contract Language
Thu, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
In the course of examining the settlement bulletin from the recent Dallas Symphony contract negotiation, I noticed that one of the additions to their contract language had to do with same-sex domestic partners, in particular here’s what was included:
A Coffee Mug Runs The Cleveland Orchestra
Wed, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
I received an amusing email from a reader earlier this week in reference to something from the Cleveland Orchestra page of the 1st Annual Adaptistration Orchestra Website Review. On the Cleveland Orchestra details page I listed the following comment: “When I used their integrated searched engine to look for “marketing director” the first result was
