Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

Concert Experience

“People, this will get you laid”

Thu, Apr 4, 2014
Adaptistration People 085
Today’s title is a quote from singer-songwriter Ben Folds who was describing a live orchestra event. Originally published in the 4/9/2014 edition of the Riverfront Times, the article’s author, Allison Babka, interviewed Folds about an upcoming St. Louis Symphony Orchestra appearance. “It’s the best place to take anyone on a date. It’s perfect,” Folds insists. “It’s

Quality Assurance Testing The Non-Artistic Concert Experience

Tue, Mar 3, 2014
Adaptistration-Guy-137
There’s an intriguing article in the 3/7/2014 edition of the Twinsburg Bulletin by Parker Perry where the author recounts a recent experience attending a Cleveland Orchestra performance at Severance Hall. The author, a college student, was attending a Severance concert for the first time and he provides a newbie’s perspective toward a number of elements

And We Would Have Gotten Away With It Too, If It Weren’t For You Meddling Patrons

Wed, Mar 3, 2014
ADAPTISTRATION-GUY-084
Regular readers know that the extended concert experience is a frequent topic here at Adaptistration but rarely does the topic intersect collective bargaining agreement negotiations. As it turns out, we were treated to one of those unusual occurrences last week from Bloomberg’s Manuela Hoelterhoff who delivered a journalistic spanking to the Metropolitan Opera (The Met)

Krystian Zimerman Will Have Bigger Things To Worry About

Tue, Jun 6, 2013
Last week’s post about the uproar surrounding pianist Krystian Zimerman’s decision to cut a recital short because he spotted a patron allegedly recording the performance with a Smartphone generated some terrific feedback from readers. In particular, readers focused on issues surrounding copyright infringement and patron interaction. First up, was a comment from reader Rochelle Skolnick

Join The Sacred Cow Barbecue (unless you live in NYC)

Fri, Jun 6, 2013
ADAPTISTRATION-GUY-064
There’s a terrific article by Brian Wise in the 6/6/2013 edition of WQXR.com that examines the issue of using cameras and recording devices in the concert hall. The issue is hot right now following a temper tantrum from pianist Krystian Zimerman who cut a recital short because he spotted a patron allegedly recording the performance