What You Need To Know About Peer Review

It seems that a little ignorance can go a long way in this business and a classic example is just how little some stakeholders really know about peer review. Case in point, the 10/27/2010 blog post from conductor James Gaffigan is a perfect example of ignorance run amuck in that he exhibits particular dissatisfaction for the current system of peer review… In order to make sure we’re approaching this discussion from …

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The Logan’s Run Tenure Track

Many thanks to Patty Mitchell over at oboeinsight.com for her post from 11/8/2010 where she takes conductor James Gaffigan to task over comments he made in one of his blog posts where he suggests the field needs to make room for the current crop of Juilliard students. Writes Gaffigan, “So, let’s make room for them!  I have conducted too many orchestras where individuals can’t play their instruments anymore.”…

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Where’s Leonard?

On 10/31/2010, the Detroit Free Press published an article by Mark Stryker that examines the role of Detroit Symphony Orchestra music director Leonard Slatkin within the month long work stoppage. In full disclosure, I would describe my professional relationship with Leonard to a degree that might be characterized as a conflict of interest so I’m not going to offer any personal observations but I will say that Stryker put together an excellent piece…

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Don Draper’s Guide To Being A Music Director

Sometimes, the best things you can learn from Mad Men don’t actually come from the show. Case in point, Jon Hamm channeled his Mad Men character, Don Draper, to create a wildly entertaining spoof for his hosting appearance on Season 34, Episode 6 of Saturday Night Live. In a skit called Don Draper’s Guide To Picking Up Women, Hamm reveals his character’s secrets to success. Fortunately for this business, most of …

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