Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

You’re Still Using 12px Font Size!?!

Fri, May 5, 2013
Back on 2/24/2012 we examined emerging standards for web font sizes and it was a surprise to some folks that using 16px (or approx. 1em) for standard body font was recommended. Nonetheless, it is still surprising to encounter so many performing arts org websites that rely on 12px standards. All of the following screencaps were

The Curious Case Of Currier’s Claim

Thu, May 5, 2013
Adaptistration Lady Justice
There’s a terrific article by Brian Wise in the 5/20/2013 edition of WQXR.org that reports on the latest wrinkle in an ongoing lawsuit between composer Nathan Currier and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. In 2004, Currier apparently paid the Brooklyn Phil $72,000 to premiere one of his compositions (that’s just under $89k after inflation). During the 4/21/04

Mahler Meets Moneyball? Probably Not.

Wed, May 5, 2013
Adaptistration Guy Baseball
There’s an interesting article by Tom Jacobs in the 5/21/2013 edition of psmag.com which reports on a recent study designed to determine which works have more gravitas when it comes to selling tickets. Overall, it’s a good read but along with the good is some not-so-good that should be more than enough to take everything

An Interesting Turn Of Events In Palm Beach

Tue, May 5, 2013
Adaptistration Guy Out The Door
It only took one calendar year, but the Palm Beach Symphony (PBS) may be emerging from a season of “living in interesting times” following the public announcement that executive director Michael Finn is leaving his position. The PBS started making headlines in May, 2012 by making waves over an executive decision to bring in current

What To Make Of The Minnesota Poll Results

Mon, May 5, 2013
The response to last week’s Minnesota Orchestra poll was terrific and it is currently one of Adaptistration’s most popular. Designed to measure respondent’s thoughts on the Minnesota Orchestra Association’s (MOA) near future expectations, stakeholder actions, and music director involvement, the results produced some intriguing data. Near Future Expectations Perhaps unsurprisingly, few respondents expected the work

Is There An Unmistakable “Cone Of Ignorance” In Minnesota?

Fri, May 5, 2013
cone of ignorance
Apropos to yesterday’s poll about the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA), the 5/15/2013 edition of MPR News published an article by Euan Kerr that reports the MOA’s prolonged work stoppage is inflicting hardships on partner institutions within the local Minneapolis performing arts sector. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone and according to Kerr’s article,

Minnesota Poll

Thu, May 5, 2013
Sure, the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA) has a full four minutes left on its Doomsday Clock, but most colleagues I talk to think they’re already done for. At the same time, there’s a good bit of divergence of opinion when narrowing the discussion down to specific items. As such, let’s see what you think about

A Completely Different Type Of Ample Endowment

Wed, May 5, 2013
Adaptistration Singer
There’s a terrific article in the 5/13/2013 edition of Ms. In The Biz by opera soprano Rhoslyn Jones titled “You Look Like An Opera Singer.” All in all, it’s an entertaining piece with Jones taking aim at a number of physical stereotypes, not to mention a delightfully entertaining paragraph length digression about her own ample

Coffee, Tea, Or Verdi?

Tue, May 5, 2013
Adaptistration Pilot
Violinist Holly Mulcahy published a warm & fuzzy style post on 5/12/2013 about a recent experience where she struck up a conversation with a fellow airline passenger and orchestra concert newbie that ultimately ended in him buying tickets for a pair of Grand Teton Music Festival (GTMF) at 30,000 feet courtesy of Wi-Fi. Apparently, the

Work Stoppage Avoided In Seattle

Mon, May 5, 2013
Adaptistration Guy 144
The Seattle Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and Seattle Symphony and Opera Players’ Organization (SSOPO) released statements on 5/6/2013 to announce that the organization has reached a tentative labor agreement that will extend through 8/31/2015. The SSO has been close to a work stoppage on a few occasions throughout the 2012/13 season but the pair of recent
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