Commentary

Dear Conductors: Just Wear The F*cking Mask Already…And Get Vaccinated!

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Almost a year ago, I published an article asking why some conductors seemed to be exempt for mask requirements during performances when on-stage musicians were required to be masked. Now that we’re looking at an extension of CDC recommended strategies to help control the Delta variant that clearly indicate the need to be masked indoors in public spaces, I’m still seeing some of the year-old arguments from conductors about why they …

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If There Was Ever A Topic Musicians And Employers Can Get Behind, This Is It

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Recently, the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) elected a slate of new officers and it got me thinking about some of the exchanges unfolding at performing arts org venues and orchestra social media accounts in response to required vaccination requirements. Not sure how those twop things go together? No worries, it will all come together in the end. While it should come as no surprise to see performing …

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The Commercial Music Sector Lines Up Behind Required Vaccination Policies

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While nonprofit performing arts orgs aren’t alone in sorting out vaccination policies, they are still one among many. But the commercial music industry is able to go about this from a corporate level where presenting groups like Live Nation and AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) are able to address this from a one-to-many perspective. According to an article in the 8/19/21 edition of Variety by Chris Willman, those organizations aren’t discussing whether …

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Be A Part Of The Solution: Vaccination Requirements

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Insisting on verifiable vaccination status to attend concert events is becoming policy at an increasing number of nonprofit performing arts venues. One of the latest is the Walt Disney Concert Hall, owned and operated by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. While the decision to require patrons be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative coronavirus test over a specific number of hours carries risk, it’s still the best decision groups can …

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It Isn’t Often You See This Much Potential For Artistic Change

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The 8/3/2021 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an article by Jeremy Reynolds that takes a deeper than normal look at the 13 openings at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO). 13 simultaneous openings at an orchestra of this budget size that isn’t emerging from a major labor dispute and/or financial implosion is highly unusual. What’s more, five of those are principal level positions and one fixed seat position. 1st violins, three …

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