Getting back to our roots

When did our orchestras stop acting like a grass roots organization? Nearly all American orchestras originated from nothing more than a desire among community members to create a performing arts ensemble. American orchestras are not the result of aristocratic privilege and wealth from 200 years ago like their European cousins. Even the mighty New York Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony started life as small humble ensembles, having to be content with playing …

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Good news in San Antonio

The San Antonio Symphony is going to get a boost to its New Year. Ron Noble, symphony musician and AFM Local 23 President sent word that there is gong to be a New Years Eve Concert to benefit the symphony. The San Antonio Lyric Opera and the San Antonio Symphony League are sponsoring the event that, up until the orchestra suspended its performances, was and annual tradition. It’s good to see …

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Tomorrow’s Audience Today

Audience development. In the language of orchestral management that means getting people to show up for concerts. Those in the field are likely familiar with the Classical Music Consumer Segmentation Study conducted by the Knight Foundation, and if you aren’t I highly recommend taking a look. Although it isn’t a perfect study, it does help us begin to address this critical problem in an analytical fashion. Unfortunately, one point the study does …

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Reader Response: Empowerment Issues

After reading the blog about Empowerment Issues, Paul Primus wrote in with his observations. It’s important to note that Paul is the Principal Second Violin for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble that has experimented with greater musician participation regarding orchestra governance. Paul was a member of the Denver Symphony when it collapsed and remained to become a member of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, so he has a unique historical perspective …

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Reader Response: More on Education – Observations

Thomas Cabaniss, Director of Education for the New York Philharmonic recently sent in his opinions regarding the OC findings on education programs as they relate to relevance in their communities. He had this to say:I read your article which centers on the Canadian report, and I agree with many of the tenets, but differ with regard to the generalizations and the assumption that they are necessarily transferable. Orchestras are attempting to …

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