Not long ago, the site ATXClassical.org launched. The brainchild of Marc van Bree (the very same MVB that authors The Dutch Perspective), the site is designed to serve as a showcase for Austin, TX classical music and culture reviews, events, and quite a bit more. The idea isn’t new but what should get your attention is the quantity and quality of the site’s content.
Current Events
Chaos Is Good For Business
The month of September, 2012 was Adaptistration’s highest traffic month. I posted a tweet indicating the news over the weekend and it generated a wonderfully wry reply from Detroit Free Press music critic Mark Stryker: “Chaos Is Good For Business.” And the reality is that yes, by and large conflict draws more attention than good news but as I took a closer look at the metrics, I uncovered this fascinating gem:
How Troubled Orchestras Can Bounce Back And Flourish
WQXR’s latest podcast from their Conducting Business series, which focuses on issues affecting the classical music landscape, includes a discussion about the state of American orchestras and the current rash of labor disputes. The panel includes host Naomi Lewin, Graydon Royce, music critic at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Jesse Rosen, president and chief executive of the League of American Orchestras, and me.
Opus Awesome
On Saturday, 9/8/2012 LA Theatre Works (LATW) broadcast its latest radio play; Opus by Michael Hollinger staring Jonathan Adams, Jere Burns, Kevin Chamberlin, Steven Culp, Jon Matthews, and Liza Weil. Simply put, it’s an incredible production and so worth your time that you should go well out of your way to listen to the online version available for streaming (you’ll have a 5 sec ad bumper before you can access the page, sorry). Several months ago, I was honored that the folks from LATW asked me to participate in a conversation to be included at the end of the broadcast, which is also available for streaming.
Romney Will Eliminate NEA Funding
It seemed as though the election was over following the Republican Presidential Primary; after all, the media circus reached such a fevered pitch that it seemed self defeating to continue the exercise. But that euphoria was short lived and an article in the 8/15/2012 edition of CNN Money’s Fortune blog reminds us that a down economy + presidential election = plenty of arts funding debate.