An Interesting Take On The WCO
Thu, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
Robert Levine posted an intriguing piece over at Abu Bratsche on 3/6/2009 regarding ongoing developments with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) negotiations. Never the dull writer, Robert launches the post with this gem, “Labor disputes never bring out the best in employers, and orchestras are no exception.”…
TAFTO 2009 Promotional Banners Now Available
Wed, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
Take A Friend To Orchestra (TAFTO) month is just around the corner so in order to start spreading the word, you can find a variety of promotional banners to use at your blog and/or website. This year’s look is a little grungier and also new for 2009 is the addition of a higher resolution 1500
Is There Value In Recordings?
Tue, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
The Oregonian’s classical music critic, David Stabler, posted a fascinating rant on 3/5/2009 about orchestras, musicians, and recording rules. As it turns out, David’s post inspired some readers to send in some intriguing email messages about that blog post which grew into an interesting exchange about the value of orchestra recordings in the new economy
It’s Time For Academia To Remove The Rose Tinted Glasses
Mon, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
The 3/8/2009 edition of the Chicago Tribune published an article by Howard Reich that reports on the continued rise in applicants to music schools across the country. Based on a wide variety of quotes from a broad cross section of music school administrators the article paints an idyllic picture of opportunities that await graduates but
You Can Almost Smell The Lighter Fluid
Fri, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
With each passing week, the situation at the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) continues to resemble many of the characteristics defined by Scorched Earth Governance In 10 Easy Steps. The only curious aspect of this situation is the WCO has yet to indicate that the organization is having any sort of financial difficulty…
NEA Guidelines Posted
Thu, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
If you haven’t done so already, drop whatever you’re doing and head to the National Endowment of the Arts’ (NEA) website and read about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5 grant guidelines. According to that information, the application deadline is no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 2,
It’s Time For A Nonprofit LLC
Wed, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
In yesterday’s article, I mentioned the notion of a nonprofit LLC and wanted to take a moment to expand on that notion. If you imagine the world of U.S. performing arts as a brick wall then the multi-million annual budget size organizations are the bricks and the mega-million annual budget organizations function as cornerstones. Of
If I Ran The NEA
Tue, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
Hopefully, you caught the article in the 4/27/2009 edition of the Los Angeles Times by Lisa Fung that asked 30 artists, politicians, and other familiar names and faces what they would do if they ran the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Although most of the responses are worth reading, it seemed that all of
Cultural Confidence Levels: It’s Always Darkest…
Mon, Mar 3, 2009
by Drew McManus
In a word, the cultural outlook is dreary. At least, that’s what respondents indicated when asked about their outlook toward economic conditions at their orchestra by the end of the season. On the bright(er) side of things, although respondents indicated a slightly lower level of confidence about current economic conditions, those levels were still 10
You Don’t Want To Be “That Guy”
Fri, Feb 2, 2009
by Drew McManus
One of the most useful methods an aspiring manager can use to become a good manager is to learn from the examples of others; and by examples, I mean blunders. Thankfully, the internet has made this a much simpler task by making many of the goodies once shared only during face-to-face exchanges available for all
