Drew McManus on the orchestra business.
Andrew Taylor posted a really provocative piece last week about whether or not the nonprofit industry is “overbuilt”. His piece really got me thinking. Actually, it made me furious at first, but after a few minutes I started into the thinking part. I wasn’t upset with Andrew; I thought he wrote a great piece that should cause any reasonably level headed individual with at least two active brain cells to think …
When we left off in yesterday’s article, the students of Eastman’s “Realities of Orchestral Life” were just beginning a simulated orchestra contract negotiation. The students of the class represent the musicians in the orchestra and five of their members were designated to serve as their negotiation committee. I represented management and the course professor, Ray Ricker, would act as a mediator if such a need should arise. The students had just …
Last Monday, September 27th, 2004 I had the honor of serving as a guest speaker for the “Realities of Orchestral Life” course offered by Eastman School of Music’s Institute for Music Leadership. I had a wonderful time working with the students and was an honor to open their minds to issues they may not have previously considered. Collectively, they were sharp, engaging, and participated actively in the lecture and interactive portion …
Just in case anyone missed the article in the online version of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Tom Strini buried yesterday in the low traffic path of Labor Day, go give it a read. Tom wrote a good article which focuses on the future of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra via interviews with the MSO’s new executive director Mark Hanson and their new marketing director Sean McBryde. Hanson and McBryde take the …
It appears that the Chicago Symphony now joins Cleveland in extending the deadline for reaching a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement). Chicago Tribune critic, Wynne Delacoma, reported in today’s issue that talks have been extended through October 31, 2004. The article also reports that a retired judge has been brought in to mediate the remainder of the bargaining sessions. I think this is an excellent example of how flexible both musicians …