Drew McManus on the Orchestra business | est. 2003

2011 Orchestra Website Review: Overall Rankings

Tue, Nov 11, 2011
2011 Orchestra Website Reviews Overall Rankings
Between 10/12/11 and 11/04/11, 71 professional orchestra websites were examined and ranked by how well they presented their concert schedule, sold tickets, facilitated making donations, provided organizational information, utilized dynamic content, and on overall content and functionality on both desktop and mobile platforms. Keep in mind; the websites were not examined on the subjective basis

2011 Orchestra Website Review: Evaluation Criteria & What's New

Mon, Nov 11, 2011
In its eighth big year, the Orchestra Website Review has become the benchmark for how well groups present their concert schedule, sell tickets, and facilitate donations. And in order to continue serving in that capacity, the reviews adjust each year to incorporate shifts in technology and how patrons use the web. To that end, big

Adaptistration Turns Eight – Woot!

Fri, Nov 11, 2011
One of the best things about getting in on the ground floor is there never seems to be any limit on where you can go. For example, since 2010 Adaptistration brought an official editorial cartoonist on board and increased overall visits by a whopping 61.98 percent. If fact, we had to upgrade our server to

#NAMPC Is Right Around The Corner

Thu, Nov 11, 2011
The National Arts Marketing Project Conference (#NAMPC) is next week and it’s shaping up to be a good time. Yes, for those in the orchestra field, the fact that it’s Louisville is more than a little ironic but I’m looking forward to spending a few shop talk filled days in Fall City, wait too ironic;

Time For A Reality Check

Wed, Nov 11, 2011
Sure, news as of late has been filled with a good bit of nonsense from a variety of stakeholders but it’s important to remember that even though bad news sells, it isn’t necessarily representative of an entire field, even the orchestra business. To that end, it’s time to break free of tunnel vision and take

The Hunt Is On In Louisville

Tue, Nov 11, 2011
At the end of last week, the Louisville Orchestra (LO) followed through on its announcement to hire permanent replacement musicians by sending out a “National Call For Applications” Flyer to a variety of academic institutions. The one page flyer contains basic compensation information and that the current openings are to “replace musicians who are on

Editorial Cartoon: Boo!

Mon, Oct 10, 2011
Adaptistration’s editorial cartoonist, Paul Dixon, is at it again and this time around he’s crafted a special Halloween treat. If you’ve been fretting about what you’re going to do for a costume tonight, this may give you an idea or two.

A Roadmap To The Land Where Angels Fear To Tread

Fri, Oct 10, 2011
Things moved from bad to worse in the Louisville Orchestra (LO) labor dispute over the past five days so in case you haven’t been following all of the details, here is what transpired: Over last weekend, it looked as though both sides came to an agreement with the musicians capitulating to management’s terms, but that

Deconstructing The Louisville Letter

Thu, Oct 10, 2011
In what could be considered a metaphorical shot heard ’round the world, the Louisville Orchestra (LO) sent a letter to musicians dated 10/24/2011 informing them that if they acknowledge that they are “ready to work and accept, unconditionally, the terms and conditions outlined in [the] individual offer of employment” by 5:00pm CT, October 31, 2011

Pushing The Sky Up In Boston

Wed, Oct 10, 2011
The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) recently wrapped up a new three year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that flies in the face of the Chicken Little Think Tank sky is falling doctrine. Normally, we wouldn’t spend time looking at what amounts to a typical contract with standard improvements but given the recent concessionary agreement in Philadelphia,
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