Diversity & Equity
When It Comes To Engaging A Diverse Audience, Orchestras Have Nowhere To Go But Up
Tue, Feb 2, 2018
by Drew McManus
With the increasing diversity of the overall population, failing to get ahead of the curve for non-white patron engagement is a sure-fire strategy for retrenchment. For more than a decade, the field has rung its hands over the graying of its audience (spoiler: it’s not that bad) when that time would have been better spent
How Would You Define Diverse Programming?
Tue, Feb 2, 2018
by Drew McManus
Pop quiz! Which of the following items is not an example of diverse artistic programming: Operas written by women. Operas written by minorities. Operas written by living composers. Operas written by dead white guys. Over the weekend, a friend’s Facebook post caught my attention when it pointed out some 2018/19 season announcement marketing copy from
We Live In Angry Times. Here’s Something Positive You Can Do About It.
Thu, Jun 6, 2017
by Drew McManus
Here in Chicago, it’s difficult to miss the sharp uptick in the number of motorists laying on the horn; at times, it feels like being in New York City. For a genuine metropolis, Chicago has a remarkably relaxed populace and the lack of car horn deluge is one of those extra special perks. But times
What Every Conductor Still Needs To Know About Working With Marketers
Thu, May 5, 2017
by Drew McManus
Last year, I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in a marketing panel for the Chicago Sinfonietta’s (CS) Project Inclusion Freeman Conducting Fellowship program. Although my schedule precluded participating in this year’s session, I suggested they invite someone outside the group of marketing professionals that took part during the 2016 session. Specifically, a musician who has successfully moved
What The Oscars, Contracts, And The Orchestra Field Have In Common