A Good Comparison Between NonProfit and ForProfit
Wed, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
In yesterday’s article, I spent a good but of time ripping up what I thought was an inaccurate comparison between for profit and non profit organization. But there are some rules the for profit industry has to follow that the non profit industry is exempt from; but if managers were required to follow these same
Diminished Philosophy
Tue, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
Andrew Taylor posted a really provocative piece last week about whether or not the nonprofit industry is “overbuilt”. His piece really got me thinking. Actually, it made me furious at first, but after a few minutes I started into the thinking part. I wasn’t upset with Andrew; I thought he wrote a great piece that
Reader Response: Racist Nonsense II
Mon, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
Shortly after publishing the last Reader Response to this article, I received an email from Jerome Harris, a 50-something professional jazz musician: black American, native Brooklynite, working-class background/Ivy League grad/middle-class income, omnivorous listener. He wrote in to comment about some passages in that article as well as the ideas from the original piece.
(Really) Long Term Planning Part 2
Fri, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
To continue where things left off from yesterday, we’re going to examine an imaginary historical scenario and determine whether or not it might supply some possible answers to a variety of long term problems facing the industry today. The BIG Endowment It is reasonable to say that American orchestras can look at their cousins across
(Really) Long Term Planning
Thu, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
Undergoing long term planning sessions are all the rage today with orchestra managers. Attempts to go beyond creating three to six year plans are becoming more common. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra even decided to create a 10-30 year plan complete with their own unique “Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals” (go to page 10 of the
Orchestra Web Sites And Profitability
Tue, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
Shortly after publishing the 1st Annual Adaptistration Orchestra Website Review I received a number of email messages from orchestra managers (mostly from Finance Directors) that all asked a variation of the following question: “How can our website be bad if it makes a profit?” Good question; it’s also a revealing insight into some of the
Looking At Classical Music 50-100 Years From Now
Mon, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
I had an interesting conversation this weekend that really got me thinking about whether or not there will be any large scale classical music ensembles, like orchestra, around 50-100 years from now. As a result, I published an article at The Partial Observer today that ponders whether or not there will be enough public interest
The Value Of Ensemble Experience At Interlochen
Sun, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
Recently I’ve received a few letters from folks with a connection to Interlochen in one form or another who wanted to remind me about the value of the summer camp’s large ensemble experience.
Reader Response: Racist Nonsense
Fri, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
I received a number of wonderful responses from the Bunch Of Racist Nonsense article published from last Wednesday. As with most issues that generate a good deal of responses there are always some surprises, and this was no exception. Many messages were from orchestra managers (wishing to remain anonymous) who expressed varying degrees of disappointment
Peering Into Milwaukee’s Future
Thu, Oct 10, 2004
by Drew McManus
The current round of negotiations certainly has everyone’s attention in the here and now, but how will the outcome of these settlements influence orchestra’s negotiations in the following years? There are several orchestras slated to begin contract negotiations next year that are in very similar financial straits to the orchestras currently negotiating. Take for example,
