Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

More on Orchestra Radio

Wed, Jan 1, 2004
It’s truly a small business. Just last week I wrote a blog about orchestras owning radio stations, in turn a reader pointed me in the direction of KING-fm classical radio in Seattle . After getting in touch with the radio station for information, I was contacted by Bob Goldfarb the KING-fm program director, and another

Considering an Arts Administration degree?

Wed, Jan 1, 2004
Then you should go out of your way to obtain a copy of: Joe Maddy of Interlochen, by Norma Lee Browning.  Published in 1963 by Henry Regnery Company, Chicago, IL.   Even if you’re not considering an arts degree, you should read this book to learn about how an arts organization can start from nothing,

Reader Response: A Student’s view on ticket price

Tue, Jan 1, 2004
It’s funny how quickly we forget what our lives were like in our younger years. Recently I’ve been criticizing the industry for high ticket prices that exclude many young patrons. Several orchestra administrators have written in to remind me that their orchestras (as do most) offer student rush tickets for around the cost of a

Making better musicians for today and tomorrow

Mon, Jan 1, 2004
Historically, most orchestra musicians take a very passive role in how their orchestra functions; artistically, and administratively.  They play the music and administrators make the decisions, end of story.  But one orchestra has taken a large step toward moving musicians from passive to active participants.  The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra recently underwent a massive transformation

I’m not the only one complaining about prices

Sat, Jan 1, 2004
I just ran across this article in the NY Times by John Rockwell entitled Turn-Ons: Classical Concerts. Turnoffs: Sticker-Shock Tickets.  We seem to have similar opinions about the inflated cost of orchestra tickets.    Here’s a teaser: “Museums attract the young because people know they are a good deal: low prices for everyone, and once

Reader Response: Talk is cheap, tickets aren’t

Sat, Jan 1, 2004
I received quite a few responses from orchestra managers challenging my point of view regarding the recent article about orchestra ticket prices . One of which came from Curt Long, the Executive Director for the Dayton Philharmonic…

Talk is cheap, tickets aren’t

Thu, Jan 1, 2004
Audience development is a big issue in this industry. Attendance is down, younger patrons are harder to attract, and subscription series are getting increasingly difficult to sell. In addition to all of the cultural, social, and marketing issues involved with this problem, I think a widely overlooked area is the cost of single tickets… Kennedy Center

Reader Response: Orchestra Radio

Wed, Jan 1, 2004
I have to say that I can always count on my readers to help further my education. Many thanks to reader Herb in Texas for writing in with a pointer to the situation at Seattle’s KING-FM. Herb believes that the radio station is collectively run by the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera. I have not

Orchestra Radio

Tue, Jan 1, 2004
Here’s another idea out of left field: how about an orchestra "owning" a classical music radio station? There’s been much discussion over the past two years about the viability of classical music radio stations in general. In my opinion, I think that’s right on the ball. This is just another situation where a true partnership

A day late and (many) dollars short in Baltimore

Mon, Jan 1, 2004
I have to rant a little.  Ok, a lot.  I read an article from the 1/4/04 Baltimore Sun by music critic Tim Smith entitled Fine Tuning Its Future.  In the article, Tim outlines what the BSO has planned for its future and how it expects to bring in a new audience through developing an overhauled
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