Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

Examining Dallas’ “Bold Plan For Greatness” – Conclusions

Fri, Feb 2, 2006
Strategic plans are only as good as the people designing and implementing them. As such, a properly designed plan implemented by a core of capable executive managers, board leaders, and the music director can serve as a vehicle to limitless accomplishments…

Examining Dallas’ “Bold Plan For Greatness” Part 3

Thu, Feb 2, 2006
Continuing where Part II concluded, this installment will carry on by examining the final phase of Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s "Bold Plan For Greatness", a 10 year strategic plan designed to move the organization to the next level…

Examining Dallas’ “Bold Plan For Greatness” Part 2

Wed, Feb 2, 2006
Continuing where  Part 1 concluded, this installment will continue by examining the second phase of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s "Bold Plan For Greatness", a 10 year strategic plan designed to move the organization to the next level…

Examining Dallas’ “Bold Plan For Greatness” Part 1

Tue, Feb 2, 2006
In 2004, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra initiated a 10 year strategic plan with the goal of establishing the organization as one of the top five American orchestras in artistic level and a community landmark similar to the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to review Dallas’ plan and talk to their president and

Hidden Competition

Mon, Feb 2, 2006
The Partial Observer published an article of mine today about orchestras and competition. Although I doubt we’ll ever see direct competition between orchestras, the business already has quite a few similarities to professional athletics, especially in the realm of attracting and retaining talent. It’s worth your time to give the article a read, plus you’ll

Some Worthwhile Comments

Fri, Feb 2, 2006
Yesterday’s article, When Best Practices Aren’t, has generated some intriguing comments. If you read the article before most of the comments were posted, do yourself a favor and give them a read: comments

When Best Practices Aren’t

Thu, Feb 2, 2006
"Best Practices" is a popular buzzword combo throughout the business these days. Answers.com defines Best Practice as a "term which refers to those practices that have produced outstanding results in another situation and that could be adapted for our situation". Unfortunately, I see too many examples in this business of organizations rushing to implement a

Another Example Of Good Cultural Reporting

Wed, Feb 2, 2006
The Dallas Morning News published a piece by Scott Cantrell about the departure of Katherine Akos, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. You know it’s going to be a good piece when the article begins with the line…

Office Space

Tue, Jan 1, 2006
Whenever I get the opportunity, I always like to take a tour of an orchestra’s office. I’ve been through more than my fair share and can say that no two are alike. Nevertheless, there are some trends worth noticing…

And They’re Off!

Mon, Jan 1, 2006
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra recently announced that Junichi Hirokami will serve as the organization’s next music director, beginning June 1st. This marks the first new music director appointment for 2006 and that fact in and of itself isn’t usually enough to stop the presses until you consider just how many orchestras are looking for music
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