Negotiation News From Indianapolis
Mon, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
According to a 9/11/2009 press release issued by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Committee, the musicians rejected a final offer from the management of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO). The ratification vote came a week after the ISO announced a list of guest conductors replacing former ISO music director, Mario Venzago, for the 2009/10 season…
Fun With Food Metaphors
Fri, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
Holly Mulcahy posted an intriguing piece earlier this week about the perils of program substitutions entitled Sorry, we’re fresh out of Mahler. The piece does an excellent job at expanding on some of the points covered in an article here from 9/3/2009 and one aspect I enjoyed most about Mulchay’s article is how it uses
Free = Good. Free + Big Screens = Better.
Thu, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
From out of the gloomy mist that has characterized business news the past few weeks, a bright and shiny silver lining is threading its way across several cities this weekend in the form of free simulcast concerts. For the past few years, operas have dominated this niche but this season, the Nashville Symphony jumps on
A Matter Of Representation
Wed, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
Hot off the heels of the personality vs. process post a few days ago that examined the current conflict between the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and its player conferences, the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) went public with a list of objections against the current AFM leadership. The material includes numerous
The Trouble With Balanced Budget Requirements
Tue, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
It is easy to see the benefits of adopting a balanced budget requirement; it helps ensure fiscal stability, promotes responsible spending, and under certain conditions it can even serve to motivate contributed revenue development. But when balanced budget requirements are crafted with too much rigidity, they can harm nonprofit performing arts organizations during periods when
A Bible For The Symphony Business?
Mon, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
According to an article by Burl Burlingame in the 9/4/2009 edition of the Honolulu Star Bulletin, the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (HSO) has received a $2.131 million influx of cash from the Honolulu Symphony Foundation with the caveat that the HSO “[appoints] a new executive director and development of a comprehensive balanced budget and a detailed
When Process And Personality Collide
Fri, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
Regular readers know that I am a big proponent of process. In just about every professional situation I encounter, whether my consulting work or blog posts, most problems can be traced back to a flawed and/or poorly implemented process. More often than not, personalities are to blame; or more to the point, conflict between personalities…
Post Traumatic Collapse Disorder?
Thu, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
As we all know, last September was the onset of the stock market slump which ultimately led to the current economic downturn. Endowments shrank, pension funds dwindled, and at all but a few right-minded organizations, panic driven decision making guided 2009/10 season planning. Well, that season is upon us and for what it is worth,
Post Game Concert Interviews
Tue, Sep 9, 2009
by Drew McManus
The ubiquitous post game interview; you watch them after baseball/football/etc.ball games all the time and nothing quite beats the edutainment value of watching a good sports reporter take a coach or player to task over a less than satisfactory performance. Likewise, watching those same professionals reviewing the merits behind a win is equally enjoyable and
This Is How To Avoid The Middleman