Drew McManus

"I hear that every time you show up to work with an orchestra, people get fired." Those were the first words out of an executive's mouth after her board chair introduced us. That executive is now a dear colleague and friend but the day that consulting contract began with her orchestra, she was convinced I was a hatchet-man brought in by the board to clean house. I understand where the trepidation comes from as a great deal of my consulting and technology provider work for arts organizations involves due diligence, separating fact from fiction, interpreting spin, as well as performance review and oversight. So yes, sometimes that work results in one or two individuals "aggressively embracing career change" but far more often than not, it reinforces and clarifies exactly what works and why. In short, it doesn't matter if you know where all the bodies are buried if you can't keep your own clients out of the ground, and I'm fortunate enough to say that for more than 15 years, I've done exactly that for groups of all budget size from Qatar to Kathmandu. For fun, I write a daily blog about the orchestra business, provide a platform for arts insiders to speak their mind, keep track of what people in this business get paid, help write a satirical cartoon about orchestra life, hack the arts, and love a good coffee drink.

Catching Up With Canton’s Calendar

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At the end of last week, I published an article which examined a new marketing initiative from the Canton Symphony.  Since then, quite a few readers took the time to send an email about the idea of a calendar like this.  Additionally, I took the time to call the Canton Symphony president & CEO, Linda Moorhouse, to talk to her about the project. Drew McManus: What are the motives behind the …

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Determination In The Face Of Adversity

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As the Utah Symphony & Opera begins their European tour, they’ll be traveling without one of their long time members; violinist Misha Boguslavsky.  Mr. Boguslavsky passed away last month from complications due to diabetes and heart disease. Mr. Boguslavsky was one of the handful of musicians who came to the U.S. from the former Soviet Union during the days of the Cold War.  I remember growing up in latter half of …

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Performing Gustav Mahler In Abject Squalor

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Perhaps classical music isn’t so far removed form cultural consciousness than we thought.  On last evening’s episode of The Simpsons, the town of Springfield’s Cultural Advisory Board determines that the best way to raise their cultural standing compared to their refined neighbors in Shelbyville is to build a new concert hall. To put themselves at the cusp of the cultural edge they contact Frank Gehry to design their hall (Mr. Gehry …

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Double Reed Musicians: Armed and Dangerous

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In response to the Friday’s post about an orchestra memo banning firearms in the workplace I received this note from oboist and blogger Patty Mitchell, NO firearms to rehearsals or runouts? Geesh. They sure take the fun out of everything! (But they can’t take away our reed knives.) Patty is always successful at making me smile.  And for those of you who have been writing in asking if that memo really …

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