Events Heat Up In Louisville
Thu, Jun 6, 2011
by Drew McManus
Following the 5/31/2011 bankruptcy hearing for the Louisville Orchestra (LO), which coincided with the expiration date of the organization’s collective bargaining agreement with its musicians, the Louisville Orchestra Musicians Association (LOMA) published a press statement claiming that the LO has “terminated all the orchestra’s musicians.”…
Audition At The O.K. Corral
Wed, Jun 6, 2011
by Drew McManus
On 5/27/2011, WQXR published an article by Corinne Ramey that examines when musician openings in orchestras go unfilled. Ramey does a great job at covering the issues related multiple season vacancies created by mutual agreement between the orchestra association and the musicians. At the same time, there are occasions when long term vacancies are the
Happy Memorial Day
Mon, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
Whether you’re home all day enjoying the holiday with family and friends or your orchestra is putting on a performance today, try to take a few moments to remember the reason for the holiday. Furthermore, take a moment to remember that the single largest employer of full-time professional musicians is the United States Armed Forces…
All About Emmanuelle
Fri, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
There was definitely no shortage of attention focused on Emmanuelle Boisvert’s decision to leave her position as concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for an associate concertmaster position at the Dallas Symphony. According to a Google News search, the related Associated Press article was picked up by more than 100 outlets in addition to more
Reading Between The Lines In Detroit
Thu, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
Following the news that Detroit Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Emmanuelle Boisvert decided to leave her position for an associate concertmaster position at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony issues a brief statement from board chair, Stanley Frankel. Frankel’s statement could perhaps best be described as profoundly indifferent…
Detroit Concertmaster Leaves For Dallas
Wed, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
Breaking News: Long time Detroit Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Emmanuelle Boisver announced today that she will be leaving her position for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra where she will serve as associate concertmaster. Her reasons are clearly stated in her full press statement (available below) and her decisions could be construed as a very public vote of
Mid Week Link Love
Wed, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
Yesterday’s 2300 word post needs a little counterbalance so today is going to be a diminutive yang to that XXL yin. First up is a nod to the 5/21/2011 Syracuse Post-Standard which reports that a new orchestra to replace the defunct Syracuse Symphony Orchestra is underway. Over at non divisi, Frank Almond would be happy
Philadelphia; In Their Own Words
Mon, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
On 5/20/2011 Philadelphia Orchestra Association (POA) CEO and President Allison Vulgamore and Orchestra Musicians Committee chair and cellist John Koen joined WHYY host Marty Moss-Coane on Radio Times to discuss the future of the Philadelphia Orchestra. At nearly one hour (w/commercials) it’s a long program but the entire episode is available at the show’s archives…
Accountability: A Referendum On You
Mon, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
Last week was a abuzz with Philadelphia Orchestra Association (POA) bankruptcy news at the Philadelphia Inquirer. It published op-ed articles on 5/18/2011 about the POA’s bankruptcy decision from board chair Richard B. Worley and musician spokesperson and cellist John Koen. On 5/19/2011 classical music critic Peter Dobrin posted a commentary piece that cast reservations on
A Reply To Tony Woodcock
Fri, May 5, 2011
by Drew McManus
Per his blog post from 5/18/2011, it appears that New England Conservatory president Tony Woodcock has declined my invitation to employ a community engagement exercise in the form of a live public discussion to examine a number of the issues he has been writing about over recent weeks. He feels “this is a topic for
