Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

Some Heavy Thinking On CRM

Tue, Dec 12, 2011
Joe Patti published a terrific article yesterday over at Butts In The Seats that examines some new thinking going on amid the field of Customer Relationship Management (CRM). What makes the conversation interesting is the school of thought among trend setters in the for profit world is begging to shift toward the thinking that CRM

12 Days Of Christmas: Orchestra Manager Edition

Mon, Dec 12, 2011
Santa
Ah, the stress of the holiday season; budgets closing, artists calling in sick, inclement weather, and more; all in one convenient headache inducing package. Well, let’s take some time and poke a little fun at the season and get in some venting at the same time with some new lyrics to The Twelve Days of

Here It Is, Your Moment Of Holiday Zen

Fri, Dec 12, 2011
You know it, you love, it, and it just isn’t the holiday season without it: The Messiah Organist On Crack. If this holiday classic is new to you, give it moment and hang in there until the end; I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s 0:43 of unfiltered Messiah goodness.

So Much Drama

Thu, Dec 12, 2011
Although we don’t follow the comings and goings of the opera field very much, it’s high time to take a peek at what’s going on right now at the New York City Opera (NYCO). The beleaguered arts organization is on its tippy toes staring down into the precipice that is institutional oblivion following a prolonged

So What's Up With Minnesota?

Wed, Dec 12, 2011
In case you missed it, the Minnesota Orchestra (MO) seems to be gearing up for trouble. The 12/7/2011 edition of the Minnesota Star Tribune published an article by Graydon Royce that reports the MO is posting a $2.9 million deficit, or slightly less than 10 percent on of their $30.4 million annual budget. What’s intriguing

The Domino Theory, Orchestra Pension Style

Tue, Dec 12, 2011
The 12/1/2011 edition of the New York Times published an article by Dan Wakin and Mary Williams Walsh that examined the impact of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s (POA) withdrawal from the American Federation of Musicians and Employers Pension Fund (AFM-EPF). In case you’re coming into the situation without much knowledge, here are the highlights you need

Alex Ross Couldn't Be More Right

Mon, Dec 12, 2011
Social media and discussion boards associated with the field are abuzz over a recent advertisement for presidential candidate contestant Rick Perry who demonizes homosexuals serving in the armed forces over the soundtrack to what sounds a lot like Copland’s Appalachian Spring. And just in case you miss the irony, Copland was…(wait for it)…a homosexual. I

More Insight Into Yelp

Fri, Dec 12, 2011
Following last Monday’s article about improving patron engaging through Yelp, a pair of very worthwhile comments came in; one from Boston Symphony Orchestra office & social media manager Matthew Heck (who was mentioned in the article) and Marc van Bree, author of the Dutch Perspective (the intersection of communications, social media and culture).

Former Colorado MD Blasts Ex Board Members

Thu, Dec 12, 2011
In a very unusual move for an active conductor, former Colorado Symphony Orchestra music director, Jeffrey Kahane, submitted an op-ed opinion piece to the Denver Post that unloads both barrels on the Clinton/Miller letter along with the Post’s editorial from 12/3/2011.

Dueling, Denver Style

Wed, Dec 12, 2011
Ever since the Denver Post published the opinion piece written by former Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) board members, Heather K. Miller and Bruce Clinton, there appears to be a growing conflict between the paper’s editorial board and the current CSO board leadership.
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