Minnesota Burnout
Fri, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
Anyone else getting burnt out over Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) news? It’s bad enough that newsworthy developments are perhaps better defined as regifted spin; consequently, today is the last MOA post at Adaptistration until something profound transpires such as Vanska resigns, an agreement is reached, or something equally shocking takes place (keep in mind, I’m
Talking About The Minnesota Orchestra With WWFM’s Rachel Katz
Thu, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
WWFM, The Classical Network, broadcast an episode of A Tempo with host Rachel Katz on 9/7/2013 where I had the privilege of talking with Katz about some of the broader issues related to the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) labor dispute such as proposed work rule changes and musician duties and responsibilities along with how all
Minnesota’s Eleventh(ish) Hour
Wed, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
Although it was anticipated that Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) music director Osmo Vanska would make a decision this week about whether or not he would resign, it appears that the cycle of hurry up and wait has been extended to 9/30/2013. And when they say the 30th that apparently means the 15th. Confused? You should
NY City Opera’s New Model Sputters Before It Starts
Tue, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
Hot on the heels of massive concessions won in spite of widespread and intense artist pushback, the New York City Opera (NYCO) is failing to achieve the sustainability it claimed would follow the controversial model that general manager and artistic director George Steel described as “paying people only for the work that they do.” Steel’s
Editorial Cartoon: Rigor Mortis
Mon, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
Adaptistration’s editorial cartoonist, Paul Dixon, is concerned about the Minnesota Orchestra Association’s (MOA) direction and decided it was high time to say something about it. And since today marks the threshold for when MOA music director Osmo Vanska announced he would resign at any moment if the lockout isn’t ended and the ensemble is back
Nothing’s Changed, It’s Still All About Power
Fri, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
One of the most common questions coming in from readers, colleagues, and friends about the Minnesota Orchestra dispute is why; people are befuddled over why things have become this bad and why there’s no apparent end in sight. The answer is simple and it has little to do with budgets, sustainability, competitiveness, excellence, or any
Osmo? Who Needs Him?
Thu, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
Just in case you had any hope that the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) would reach an eleventh hour agreement with its musicians to rescue the 2013/14 season, retain music director Osmo Vanska, and the upcoming Carnegie Hall performance, they made it clear to Graydon Royce in the 9/3/2013 edition of the Star-Tribune that all of
Push Back Against Information Overload To Design A Better Website
Wed, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
There’s a terrific article in the 9/3/2013 edition of SmashingMagazine.com by Adrian Taylor that examines the continued value in embracing flat design, a topic we’ve been exploring here over the past few months. The especially useful point in Taylor’s article is how the flat design movement is driving down information overload. As a constantly connected
Small Gesture, Big Impact
Tue, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
Yesterday’s Minnesota Orchestra cross-blog event was a genuine hit; loads of traffic, loads of comments, and double loads of social sharing. In case you unplugged yesterday and took a genuine holiday, make sure you go back and start catching up on everything that happened; and when you do, be sure to tag your social sharing
Arrogance is a weed that grows mostly on a dunghill*
Mon, Sep 9, 2013
by Drew McManus
During a 2013 meeting of the Minnesota Orchestra Laureate Society, the orchestra’s President & CEO, Michael Henson, declared that “blogs are senseless and must be ignored.” This comment was offered up within the context of the orchestra’s media coverage related to the season-long work stoppage. The Arabic quote serving as today’s headline was the first
