A Good Problem To Have
Wed, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
The recent article by Dan Wakin in the 8/11/08 edition of the New York Times reporting on the problems encountered by Met subscribers attempting to exchange tickets presented a fascinating problem-solving scenario: how to anticipate and react to sudden increases in ticket sales. Wakin’s article did an excellent job at setting up the issue, establishing
No Lack of Power Had They Lacked Power. Unless You Have No Power…
Tue, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
…or in my case, no reliable internet connection. Given the fact that connection time is sporadic and brief I’m only going to take the time to point out two posts from my Inside The Arts blogging cohorts who have been writing about the Olympics and how it intersects with their arts medium. Joe Patti over
Orchestras In The Olympics
Fri, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
No, this isn’t about synchronized conducting but as I’m watching the opening ceremony for the Olympics in Beijing, I wonder what part classical music (the Western European variety) will play in this year’s games. I know the Cincinnati Pops is in Beijing to officially take part in planned entertainment events but is anyone aware of
Extended Stay And Social Engineering
Thu, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
It looks like I’ll be staying in Area-51 a bit longer; at the very least I’ll be on site through August 31. Consequently, the Annual Website Reviews may be a bit late this year but rest assured they will be out in the Fall. The work routine is settling into a nice pattern which should
Job Descriptions: Not For the Feint-Of-Heart
Wed, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
Thanks to Cincinnati Inquirer music critic Janelle Gelfand for pointing me toward the job description for the President & CEO position at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. It just so happens that writing job descriptions is a live-it, breathe-it, and eat-it sort of thing in my Area-51 project so her timing couldn’t be better…
A Cultural Military-Industrial Complex?
Tue, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
The 7/23/2008 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer published an article by the ever sharp Peter Dobrin which revealed that former Philadelphia Orchestra President, Joe Kluger, continued to receive compensation from the organization after his departure. Although deferred compensation and severance pay are nothing new, Dobin noted that Kluger’s compensation focused more on consulting fees… “After
Crafting A Clear Message
Mon, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
Although it has become fashionable over the past few years to focus on creating elaborate mission statements, that doesn’t mean bigger is always better. On one hand, conducting a thorough institutional self evaluation can produce a multitude of positive results. Yet on the other hand, attempting to put each of those results into words via
Eye Candy
Fri, Aug 8, 2008
by Drew McManus
Although going to and from my recent mid-project trip to Italy took three times as long as the actual amount of time available to conduct business, there was a handful of minutes available while waiting for a ride to the airport to squeeze in some touristy photos. If you’re an opera buff, you’ll likely identify
The Dutch Perspective Of Orchestras And New Media
Thu, Jul 7, 2008
by Drew McManus
Nothing like red eye flights with multi-hour layovers on my way back to the orchestral equivalent of Area-51 to get caught up on some blogging. One topic I wanted to point out is a new series of blog posts by everyone’s favorite Dutchman, Marc van Bree. A few days back, Marc posted the first article
Off On A Mid-Trip Trip
Tue, Jul 7, 2008
by Drew McManus
My current work project has developed in such a way as to require a brief trip away from my current location to Italy for a few short days. As such, today is a travel day and my time to blog is limited; however, there should be ample opportunity on the seven hour flights to catch
