#TBT: Maybe It Wasn’t A Joke After All
Thu, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
Recently, a reader reached out with an ironic life imitating art observation that connects the whole Juilliard student protests in response to tuition increases with an April Fool’s post here from 2018. The gag focused on a tongue-in-cheek music conservatory, “Juiliard Institute” (spelling error intentional), that started offering students financial aid with repayment in the form
Juilliard Students Continue To Seek A Tuition Freeze
Wed, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
Right before the compensation report week, we examined how Juilliard Students were protesting tuition hikes and since then, the situation has exploded. The New York Times and Rolling Stones both covered the story along with sector-specific outlets like Inside Higher Education. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the school’s administration has kept to a tight list of talking points
Looking To The Past When Thinking About The Philly Orch-Kimmel Center Not-A-Merger
Tue, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
On 6/17/21 The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center announced the organizations were “uniting under a new parent company”. Before we dive too deep into the weeds, it’s worth noting that one of the key figures involved here is Anne Ewers, Kimmel Center president and CEO. If that name sounds familiar within the context of merges, you
2018/19 Season Is Now Available At The Orchestra 990 Download Library
Mon, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
Today’s a good day because all the 2018-2019 season files have been processed and added to the downloadable Orchestra 990s at the Adaptistration Store. This brings the total number of seasons up to 20. A big thank you to everyone who has already purchased copies and keep in mind, the more you buy, the less it costs thanks
2021 Orchestra Compensation Reports: The Big Picture
Fri, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
Each year, one of the most popular items in the orchestra compensation reports is a big picture overview of all compensation alongside Total Expenditure figures. If you’ve been looking for something that shows all the report values in a single chart, this is your article. Did you know? Direct links to most of the orchestra’s financial
2021 Orchestra Compensation Reports: Concertmasters
Thu, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
2018/19 broke the three-year streak in gains for the average concertmaster’s compensation level. Having said that, we did see one new organization cross the threshold of paying their concertmaster enough to be reported in the 990 filing (Florida Orchestra) and that’s always a good thing. The Information In order to provide information that is as accurate
2021 Orchestra Compensation Reports: Music Directors
Wed, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
Much like their executive counterparts, Music Directors saw a large artificial decrease in average compensation thanks to several high paying positions being filled for only part of the season. Nonetheless, even a down season, it’s good to be the king, maestro, music director. The Information In order to provide information that is as accurate as possible,
2021 Orchestra Compensation Reports: Executives
Tue, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
When it comes to executive compensation, last year’s artificially low average change (-11.62%) was offset by an equally artificial increase (19.74%). Having said that, the two-season average falls right in line with historic norms to continue the upward trend. The Information In order to provide information that is as accurate as possible, info from the 2018/19 season
2021 Orchestra Compensation Reports: Introduction
Mon, Jun 6, 2021
by Drew McManus
If you had to summarize this year’s compensation report trends in a single word, it might be “whipsaw.” Last year’s reports saw anomalies in averages thanks to several high paying positions going unfilled or occupied by someone for a partial season. As a result, we saw more artificially lower averages than normal. Now that most
Why Are Still Associating Value By Relative Fish v. Pond Size?