Drew McManus on the orchestra business.
As if things weren’t interesting enough already in Pittsburgh, they’ve just become more intriguing. Now that four of the “Big 5” orchestras have settled their contracts negotiations (more or less) the Pittsburgh Symphony is able to start working with some figures to set their pay future pay scale. If you’re not up to speed on the unique contract langue from the concessionary contract the Pittsburgh musicians recently accepted, their salaries are …
An article in today’s New York Times by Daniel J. Wakin focuses on all of the recent contract negotiation settlements among the four of the “Big 5” orchestras. It’s an o.k piece but there’s a basic premise this piece presents (either by Daniel’s design or his editors) that really bothers me; it makes it appear as though these are the only orchestras in the relevant musical universe. The article begins with: …
I published an article today at The Partial Observer which examines how orchestras can use open rehearsals as an outreach and educational tool to build a stronger, more involved, patron base. Last week, I read an article in the Boston Globe about how the BSO open rehearsals should be a little more inclusive. But the concept of open rehearsals should go far beyond that – it wouldn’t be very difficult (I know …
In response to the article from A Coffee Mug Runs The Cleveland Orchestra, I received the following note from Thomas in Lexington, KY: Subject: dumber than usual Mr. McManus, [Regarding] the Cleveland Orchestra’s coffee mug— most people catch on that they really should read more than just the first entry of results from search engines. For example… I think I’m going to… send my resume to the Cleveland Orchestra c/o of …
I received an amusing email from a reader earlier this week in reference to something from the Cleveland Orchestra page of the 1st Annual Adaptistration Orchestra Website Review. On the Cleveland Orchestra details page I listed the following comment: “When I used their integrated searched engine to look for “marketing director” the first result was a sales page for a coffee mug.” Adaptistration reader and orchestra patron Janet from Delaware thought …