You Just Can’t Beat A Personal Connection
Tue, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
A recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer caught my attention; it examines the use of visual imagery during orchestra concerts. The article’s writer, David Patrick Stearns, does a good job with the piece but I think the industry is missing a fundamental fact about the best way to connect to a new audience. All of
How Vs. Why
Mon, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
How important is process an organization uses to achieve a goal? I’ve been putting some extra thought into this question lately because an increasing number of nonprofit organizations have been doing one of two things: improving the internal relationship between constituents via an inclusive shared process or damaging those relationships with a faulty process.
Interlochen’s Thanksgiving Week Massacre
Sun, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
There’s an article in the Traverse City Record Eagle by Tom Carr today that reports that the Interlochen Center for the Arts (ICA) has undertaken a “Thanksgiving week massacre” and: ” mailed pink slips to 37 summer camp instructors, some of whom taught there for decades.” When asked why they decided to terminate so many
Video Game Outreach
Fri, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
At Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, one of our guests brought an unusual party game with them. It’s a video game for a PlayStation 2 called Taiko Drum Master (fortunately our guest also brought the PlayStation 2 console with them). I have to say that the game was immensely entertaining to watch and could be very challenging to
Giving Thanks
Thu, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
I received this email yesterday and think it’s the perfect blog for today: Dear Mr. McManus, I discovered your blog four months ago and have enjoyed following many of the articles, it has been most interesting to see the progress of various stories over that time. What is troubling is the frequency of so many
Why Albuquerque Is Just As Important As Chicago
Wed, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
In a brief entry yesterday, I objected to how some journalists focus on all but the smallest percentage of large budget orchestras when referring to the orchestra industry as a whole. It’s simply not representative of this business nor is it appropriate as the vast majority of people across the country are exposed to live
In Pittsburgh The Devil Will Be In The Details
Tue, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
As if things weren’t interesting enough already in Pittsburgh, they’ve just become more intriguing. Now that four of the “Big 5” orchestras have settled their contracts negotiations (more or less) the Pittsburgh Symphony is able to start working with some figures to set their pay future pay scale. If you’re not up to speed on
Some Perspective
Tue, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
An article in today’s New York Times by Daniel J. Wakin focuses on all of the recent contract negotiation settlements among the four of the “Big 5” orchestras. It’s an o.k piece but there’s a basic premise this piece presents (either by Daniel’s design or his editors) that really bothers me; it makes it appear
Open For Debate
Mon, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
I published an article today at The Partial Observer which examines how orchestras can use open rehearsals as an outreach and educational tool to build a stronger, more involved, patron base. Last week, I read an article in the Boston Globe about how the BSO open rehearsals should be a little more inclusive. But the concept
Reader Response: Go Design Some Trash Cans
Sun, Nov 11, 2004
by Drew McManus
In response to the article from A Coffee Mug Runs The Cleveland Orchestra, I received the following note from Thomas in Lexington, KY: Subject: dumber than usual Mr. McManus, [Regarding] the Cleveland Orchestra’s coffee mug— most people catch on that they really should read more than just the first entry of results from search engines.
