I have to start off this article by employing the use of a shockingly dirty word. A word so heinous that it’s mention can curve an arts administrator’s spine, infect the soul of a donor, and cause America’s orchestras to fall into ruin. If you have a child reading over your shoulder you had best cover their eyes. This filthy word is: commissions…
The Honolulu Symphony – An Island Unto Itself
It’s not uncommon to hear managers and musicians alike espouse how their orchestra is “unique” among the landscape of American orchestras. They use this to justify why an idea that is successful at Orchestra “A” wouldn’t be transferable to their situation. And to small degrees this is usually true, but the larger picture shows us that they are probably more alike than not. One orchestra which can legitimately claim that it …