Orchestra Nightmares
Wed, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
If you’ve never seen an episode of Kitchen Nightmares, starring iconic chef Gordon Ramsay, you’re missing out. The program’s self described premise is quite straightforward: “Ramsay steps…into some of the country’s most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants to help them turn their businesses around or close their doors forever.” It’s hard to avoid thinking about how
Andrew Adler Couldn’t Be More Right
Tue, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
The 6/27/2010 edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal published a commentary piece by music critic Andrew Adler where the author shares a frank response to the sort of discussions that have been permeating the business. In particular, the recent keynote topics at the latest League conference in Atlanta. It’s (unfortunately) becoming increasingly rare to see candor
Look Before You Leap
Mon, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
On 6/22/2010, Marc van Bree published a blog post at Dutch Perspective that caught my attention. He examines what were apparently topics of paramount discussion at the recent League Conference. Marc provides all sorts of reference links but I have to admit I didn’t’ take the time to read any of it as his post
A New AFM President And Why You Should Care
Fri, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
Following yesterday’s National Convention election, Tom Lee has been replaced by Ray Hair (president of Dallas Local 72-147) as president of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). Lee garnered 44 percent of the vote while Hair secured 56 percent (figures via Robert Levine’s AFM Convention blog). It wasn’t a landslide, but a clear victory nonetheless.
Excellence In Excellence!!
Thu, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
This was just too good not to post. Yesterday’s hugh’s daily cartoon absolutely made my day. It manages to sum up a lot about this business in three simple words. The Hugh in hugh’s daily cartoon is Hugh MacLeod, author of Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity. More about all of that here.
Radio Waves And Putting The $ In Orch Busine$$
Wed, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
Apparently, it is possible to be in more than one place at the same time. At least, virtually. Yesterday’s edition of culture.wnyc.org published an article by Marlon Bishop that examines the move by Graham Parker, currently the exec of the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, over to lead WQXR that included some of my quotes. On the
The Love-Hate Relationship With Email Marketing
Tue, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
Dale Fisher posted a great little blurb about email marketing HTML at The Revolution Starts…Now? last month that reminds all of us why we love to hate email marketing. Compared to mailers, they have a number of strengths but one of email marketing’s shortcomings is how difficult it is to create a simple, HTML message
Leave The AFM? “I Don’t Think So”
Mon, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
At least, that’s what Robert Levine writes in response to the AFM poll results here from earlier this month (here and here) at his blog The AFM Observer. In addition to stating his own position, Levine hypothesizes “The real answer that most orchestra musicians would give to a question like ‘do you think you and
AFM Poll Update: The Grass Is Looking Greener
Fri, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
When the original poll results were published on 6/4/2010 I mentioned that we would revisit the results if there are any significant changes or an unusually large spike in responses. As it turns out, both have come to pass. Since then, the poll produced just under 800 respondents and that surge shifted the response ratios
Save The Revolution, We Need Reformation
Thu, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
With the League conference in full swing this week behind the theme of Orchestra R/Evoluiton, it seems much of the discussion is focused outward: what orchestras mean to their communities, new business models, etc. It’s fun to take part in visioning exercises but those are best left for times of economic stability and growth. What
