Drew McManus on the orchestra business.
It’s not uncommon to hear managers and musicians alike espouse how their orchestra is “unique” among the landscape of American orchestras. They use this to justify why an idea that is successful at Orchestra “A” wouldn’t be transferable to their situation. And to small degrees this is usually true, but the larger picture shows us that they are probably more alike than not. One orchestra which can legitimately claim that it …
I’m back from the Tetons and I already miss being there. It never ceases to amaze me just how good an orchestra can play when everyone is happy, healthy, and talented. There was a fantastic concert where the first half featured music entirely by modern composers (although the modern music purists would be upset to know I include Barber in that grouping) followed up with Dvorak’s 7th Symphony on the second …
I’ll be away from blogging for the next week or so unless I find a cyber caf
A number of readers sent in their thoughts about the San Francisco Symphony’s “Keeping Score” program and everyone had very positive impressions. However, I did see an odd theme reoccurring through some of the responses. It appears that in a number of PBS markets throughout the country, “Keeping Score” was either not broadcast or aired during late prime time hours. Here in the Baltimore area, it was aired at June 16th …
To wrap up the series of concert hall follow up articles, I finally have some news about the final orchestra from the original concert hall study Kansas City. Unfortunately, the KCS management still declined to participate, but fortunately, the musicians were willing to share some of their developments. Over the past six months there have been some positive developments. According to one of the orchestra musicians, the musician representatives have met …