Take This Audition And Shove It
Tue, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
There has been some intriguing discussion as of late among some cultural bloggers about the audition process. It started off on 4/5/2009 with a post by Jeffrey Weisner at the Peabody Double Bass Blog examining the sometimes slippery process that results in a “no-hire” audition. Weisner’s post is refreshingly candid and offers a valuable glimpse
Cultural Confidence Continues To Drift
Mon, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
The latest cultural confidence polling cycle indicates that positive attitudes remained somewhat unchanged and those with a negative outlook don’t feel quite as bad as the previous polling cycle. At the same time, the overall outlook on current and future economic conditions is decidedly negative…
Do We Need A New Business Model?
Fri, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
At least, that’s the question posed by Peter Dobrin in an article he wrote for the 4/5/2009 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The quick answer is no, but Dobrin’s article is representative of the normal sort of reservation and introspective analysis that accompanies any sort of unexpected critical event. In this case, the predicament is
2009 TAFTO Publication Schedule
Thu, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
The 2009 Take A Friend To Orchestra (TAFTO) publication schedule has been finalized so mark your calendar: Monday 4/20: Matthew Guerrieri Monday 4/27: Brian Bell Tuesday 4/21: Janelle Gelfand Tuesday 4/28: Sir Andrew Davis Wednesday 4/22: Molly Sheridan Wednesday 4/29: Andrew Patner Thursday 4/43: Giancarlo Guerrero Thursday 4/30: Curtis Long Friday 4/24: Alan Valentine Friday
Process Still Matters
Wed, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
The 4/6/2009 edition of the Star Tribune published an article by Graydon Royce that examines a recent round of budget and pay cuts at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO). The article reports that the organization’s president indicated that pay cuts for management and staff took place before approaching musicians. This is the same procedure
The First Minute Of A Ten Thousand Hour Journey
Tue, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
Recently, I had the pleasure of talking to Joff Schmidt, Associate Producer of CBC Radio One’s Definitely Not The Opera (DNTO), about what it means to be a professional musician; or, more specifically, the difference between amateurs and professionals. You can almost smell the loaded questions with this topic, can’t you? Nonetheless, the discussion was
Thinking Outside The Box (Seats That Is)
Mon, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
Or at least that’s the focus of Holly Mulcahy’s latest article at Neo Classical that proposes the notion that it might be time for orchestras to consider the long tail merits of a managed referral program to aid audience development efforts. Over the last several years, I’ve had discussions with colleagues and clients about this
News Of Phoenix’s Budget Troubles (sort of)
Fri, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
The 4/1/2009 edition of The Arizona Republic published an article by Jahna Berry that reported news about revenue woes at the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (PSO). Unfortunately, the article is short on details although it does report about some revenue shortages. At the same time, there is mention of some cost cutting measures already enacted by
Unleash Your Inner Maven
Thu, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
It’s April and that means it is officially Take A Friend To Orchestra month! Take A Friend To Orchestra, or TAFTO, features more than a dozen critics, bloggers, musicians, classical music enthusiasts, and administrators writing about how patrons throughout the country can invite friends who don’t regularly participate in live music events to a performance
“Thank You, Next!” Wait, Where Is Everyone?
Wed, Apr 4, 2009
by Drew McManus
Hot on the heels of the personnel drama at the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (PSO), the organization has cancelled auditions scheduled for May, 2009 for three vacant positions. Earlier this week AFM Local 586, which represents the Musicians Phoenix Symphony, distributed a memo to orchestra musicians notifying them that due to concerns from fellow musicians, they
