TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Lynn Harrell
Thu, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
I couldn’t think a better way to round out this year’s Take a Friend to the Orchestra program. Renowned cellist Lynn Harrell‘s contribution is a touching final passage to an already wonderful series. It serves as a strong reminder that amidst growing conversations questioning classical music’s ideal role in society the one thing that shouldn’t
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Brian Wise
Wed, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
Why limit TAFTO to friends? Why not Take A Date to the Orchestra (TADTO) or perhaps Take More-Than-a-Friend to the Orchestra (TMTAFTO?). Freelance music journalist and WNYC Radio producer Brian Wise was wondering the same thing and being the proactive producer-type of guy that he is, decided to do something about it. His results are
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Chris Felcyn
Tue, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Felcyn, producer and program host for Detroit’s WRCJ-FM, 90.9, for the first time only a few months ago. Although we had a great on-air conversation, it was heartening to learn during our off-air chats about his efforts over the years to promote classical music. Chris enthusiastically jumped into
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Roger Bourland
Mon, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
Composer, professor, Chair of the UCLA Department of Music, music publisher, and blogger Roger Bourland is a polymathic kind of guy. It’s tough to describe Roger’s contribution but suffice to say, it is undoubtedly a representative example of engaging creativity. If you’re like me, you’ll love it and wonder if the technology exists to crawl
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Scott Spiegelberg
Fri, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
Back when I maintained a private teaching studio, I used to love teaching adults but it didn’t take long to identify an odd quirk between how adults and children learn. If a child doesn’t get it he/she assumes it will take more effort before it becomes comfortable. With adults, there was a sense that if
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Marc van Bree
Thu, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
Adages be damned, sometimes it’s just better to turn molehills into mountains and self described “public relations practitioner” Marc van Bree is no thinker of small thoughts. From his blog to the expanding number of social media related studies and papers, Marc’s mind is always moving in new directions. His TAFTO contribution is no exception
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Christopher Blair
Wed, Apr 4, 2010
When it comes to the concert experience, today’s contributor is a key figure in a growing field that shapes the impact of a live concert event experience. Acoustician and conductor Christopher Blair is the new archetype that redefines what Arts and Sciences are all about. His contribution is every bit as enlightening as it is
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Elizabeth Lunday
Mon, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
It took about all of five minutes between picking up Elizabeth Lunday’s book, Secret Lives of Great Composers, and determining that that she was going to be at the top of this year’s TAFTO contributor invitee list. So when she agreed to take part in this year’s program, I knew she was going to put
Venture Project Update: Building A Smarter Art
Fri, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
Today marks the beginning of The Venture Project’s active analysis period as initial users get in and work with specific Creative Control Engine components. We’re also assembling the review checklist to ensure each individual feature and module is properly designed and incorporated into the final product. It’s gratifying to see everything coming together and it
Debbie Does Dvorak?
Thu, Apr 4, 2010
by Drew McManus
Perhaps the best we to preface this is to say it comes from the digital desk of conductor Bill Eddins who started off a recent post with the following: “My Board chair is going to have fits, and I can just hear our Executive Director banging her head against a wall. But folks, sometimes you
