The 2/3/2010 edition of the New Yorker published a piece by Alex Ross that examines attendance trends throughout the nonprofit performing arts. Unlike most of the shoulder shrugging set in this field, Ross decides to look at the issues in practical terms and concludes that in order to begin attracting members from Generation X to replace those from previous generations, it will take far more direct contact and one-on-one efforts. I couldn’t agree more…
TAFTO
A Sneak Peek At TAFTO 2010 Contributors
Take A Friend To The Orchestra (TAFTO) 2010 is only two months away and in order to give orchestras interested in putting together a TAFTO oriented event something to work with, I wanted to announce the first round of confirmed contributors.
- Lynn Harrell; renowned cellist and author of the weblog There’s Always Room For Cello.
- Christopher O’Riley; artist, pianist, media personality, and host of From The Top.
- Elizabeth Lunday; freelance writer, journalist, and author of Secret Lives of Great Composers.
TAFTO 2009 Contribution: Oh Snap!
It was bound to happen sometime and it looks like the 2009 Take A Friend To Orchestra (TAFTO) month will have to come up one contribution short. My apologies to everyone stopping by for today’s contribution from Andrew Patner but due to a series of wacky events, we’ll have to leave you hanging. Nonetheless, you’ll feel better after reading Matthew Guerrieri’s brilliant (really, brilliant) TAFTO cartoon again and before you know it, you won’t even remember about the TAFTO contribution that got away.
TAFTO 2009 Contribution: Philip Paschke
It’s always a pleasure to see orchestras get involved with Take A Friend To Orchestra (TAFTO) month and it’s equally thrilling to see the idea spread across the border to Canada. In today’s contribution, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) New Media Specialist (I like how orchestras are defining these new positions), Philip Paschke, chronicles his organization’s recent TAFTO event. And true to his New Media Specialist title, Philip includes a video of the bloggers, tweeters, and other new media folk the ESO invited to their event as they share their observations about orchestras and new media…
TAFTO 2009 Contribution: Curt Long
Curt Long is a perfect example of the sort of fantastic orchestra executives you don’t hear enough about. After a long and successful tenure as Dayton Philharmonic’s executive director, he recently assumed the same duties with the Alabama Symphony. Curt’s Take A Friend To Orchestra (TAFTO) contribution focuses on how orchestras need to get outside of what he defines as the “comfortable, insulated insiders’ view of what audiences want” and work toward creating an environment that attracts and retains new listeners…