Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

Commentary

Acknowledging Courage

Mon, Nov 11, 2016
Adaptistration People 078
One of the most challenging aspects within the field of arts and culture is navigating the political landscape. Short of safe positions such as opposing funding cuts to arts and culture, adopting public positions on politically charged issues almost certainly produces outcomes that require enduring institutional pain. Consequently, it is worth noting when an organization

Classical Music Convinces ISIS Fighters To Surrender

Fri, Nov 11, 2016
Adaptistration People 133
The 11/17/2016 edition of the Washington Post published an article by Caitlin Dewey that reports on the influence of fake news stories on the recent presidential election. It’s a sobering read but well worth your time, and although there’s more than enough to wade through via the political ramifications, it got me thinking that perhaps

Orchestras Don’t Survive On Earned Income. In Other News, The Sky Is Blue

Thu, Nov 11, 2016
Adaptistration People 033
The 11/15/2016 edition of the New York Times published an article by Michael Cooper that examines a recent report form the League of American Orchestras announcing most orchestras rely more on unearned then earned income. Unearned income includes revenue not directly related to a consumer paying for a service, such as donations, investment income and

The Election’s Impact On Labor Relations

Fri, Nov 11, 2016
Adaptistration People 131
Although there will likely be no shortage of post-election bear traps springing up for the field, one area worth keeping a close eye on is labor relations. We tend to spend most of our time here focusing on the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) but one of the other labor unions which wields a degree

“Despair Is No Answer”

Thu, Nov 11, 2016
Adaptistration People 136
Today’s title comes from the closing paragraph of David Remnick’s 11/9/2016 New Yorker article and I wanted to take a moment to examine the full excerpt. But despair is no answer. To combat authoritarianism, to call out lies, to struggle honorably and fiercely in the name of American ideals—that is what is left to do.
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