Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

A Few Extra Thoughts On “Keeping Score”

Mon, Jun 6, 2004
I recently published an article on my column at The Partial Observer that goes into some further details of the “Keeping Score” documentary that was featured on PBS last week.  But something that’s been itching at the back of mind since I watched the program is how it’s being billed.  According to the interactive multimedia

Concert Hall follow Up Richmond (VA) Symphony

Fri, Jun 6, 2004
Continuing with the series of concert hall follow up articles, I recently touched base with administrators and members of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. I asked David Fisk, the Richmond Symphony’s executive director, what sort of progress they’ve made and what they’ve done to include the musicians in the building process since last November. Regarding the

The Best Reality T.V.Is In San Francisco

Thu, Jun 6, 2004
Along with several dozen other writers today, my topic will focus on the PBS special “Keeping Score”.  I had seriously considered skipping over the show as a topic but decided against it it was too good to pass over. Unfortunately, I missed a little bit of the first part but what I saw was absolutely

Concert Hall Follow Up Dayton Philharmonic

Wed, Jun 6, 2004
On Monday I published a follow up article about what’s happening at the Nashville Symphony and their new concert hall.  I recently heard from another of the concert hall study orchestras, the Dayton Philharmonic, about what’s been happening there. Dayton was unique in the study in that that they were the only orchestra that has

A Bad Idea In Michigan

Tue, Jun 6, 2004
There’s an article in today’s Detroit Free Press by Frank Provenzano and Mark Stryker about a plan in Michigan to introduce a new tax that would raise and distribute funds to arts groups across the state. According to the article the legislation being introduced by state Sen. Shirley Johnson: ” calls for a 5-percent statewide

Size Matters A Follow Up Report

Mon, Jun 6, 2004
Back in November I published a four part series of articles focusing on a group of orchestras that are in the process of building new concert halls.  One of the points the study concentrated on was how well each orchestra’s management was communicating with and involving the musicians in the design and construction process.  The

Simple Ideas Tend To Be The Best

Fri, Jun 6, 2004
Lynn Sislo maintains a cultural blog entitled Reflections In D Minor and she recently posted a good idea for record companies to help attract and create further interest in new listeners.  The article is entitled “Marketing Classical Music: An Opportunity Ignored”, here’s an excerpt where Lynn identifies the problem: First, I’m looking at a CD

Federal Oversight for Australian Orchestras

Thu, Jun 6, 2004
In Australia, the federal government recently began an audit to determine the financial viability and assess the board governance of their six state symphony and two pit orchestras. Furthermore, the audit will consider how the Australian government and orchestral groups can improve their relationship to ensure the long-term sustainability of Australia’s orchestras. This decision comes

Seeing Past The Anger

Wed, Jun 6, 2004
Adaptistration People 078
I recently received a letter from a violist in a Texas orchestra who submitted their letter with the moniker “Pissed Off Violist”.  They had a great deal to rant about: Thank you for your multiple articles on the unbalanced salary issue with Executive Directors and Music Directors.  I am a violist in a medium sized

Reader Response: Reassessing The Music Director

Tue, Jun 6, 2004
Last weeks’ series on music directors generated a great deal of email from readers, most of which were musicians, and they have generously granted permission to include excerpts from their correspondence in today’s Reader Response.  But first, I wrote to JoAnn Falletta to ask a few questions about her role as music director for both
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