Why Do Orchestras Do That?
Wed, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
Joe Patti, my blogging cohort at Butts In The Seats, posted an open to the Inside The Arts bloggers that I think is best suited for just about anyone that has a connection to orchestras. Joe asks “Orchestras have some of the best trained and skilled musicians around. Why do they primarily confine themselves to
Gambling On The Lowest Common Denominator?
Tue, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
According to an opinon post on 6/19/2009 by Perry Tannenbaum at Charlotte’s Creative Loafing Arts and Entertainment blog, that seems to be exactly what is being suggested with regard to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) decision to appoint Christopher Warren-Green as their new music director…
Jargon Ahoy!
Mon, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
One of the more interesting byproducts of the League convention last week was the level of frustration among some managers over whether or not recent rounds of reductions in expenditures were temporary or fixed. According to most attendees I spoke with, there was a strong aversion to words like “restoration” and “temporary;” in fact, serious
Pop Quiz!
Fri, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
You didn’t think the summer was going to be an opportunity to let your brain coast along in neutral, did you? Of course not and to that end, here’s a little quiz to get you thinking…
Don’t Wait, Buy Your Copy Now!
Thu, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
According to the Grant Park Music Festival’s (GPMF) website, describes itself as “The nation’s only free, municipally funded, summer-long, classical music series, the Grant Park Music Festival has been a key part of the lakefront’s vibrant history.” That means it is a government sponsored, autonomous orchestra; yes, an organization thought to only exist mostly in Europe
Overheard At The Convention
Wed, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
Every now and then I like to post an overheard article that highlights some of the more dramatic/amusing/bewildering statements heard at events that cross my path. Typically, conventions are fertile fodder for such efforts but since I wasn’t officially attending the League’s Chicago event last week, I have to rely on colleagues to convey some
2008/09 Cultural Confidence In Review
Mon, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
There is little doubt that the 2008/09 season will be remembered as a time dominated by uncertainty over cash flow, revenue streams, and artistic activity. Based on a year’s worth of tracking, it is clear that this uncertainly had an adverse impact on economic confidence levels throughout a variety of performing arts institutions. Nonetheless, it
Following Up On The SFS Social Networking Site
Fri, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
As promised back in May, it is time to take a closer look behind the scenes at the San Francisco Symphony’s (SFS) social networking site, which was officially launched on May 6, 2009. In order to find out more about how the organization designed the site, how much it costs, and what sort of goals
Last Chance To Weigh-In On Cultural Confidence
Thu, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
If you haven’t done so already, this week is your last chance to vote in the last cycle for the 2008/09 cultural confidence poll. Since 10/2008, we’ve been tracking how readers have been rating the current economic conditions at their respective performing arts organization as well as where they believe those same conditions will exist
Reeling From A One-Two Punch In Phoenix
Wed, Jun 6, 2009
by Drew McManus
Local and national news outlets hammered the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra last week by openly challenging the institutional image portrayed in a recent organizational press release. In particular, both articles report on the string of recent labor problems…
