Cellos Are Back In The News
Fri, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
The 3/13/13 edition of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an article by Scott McCartney that focuses on the growing perils of musicians traveling with instruments on commercial flights. The focus of the article was cellist (and Inside The Arts author) Lynn Harrell and his well publicized commotion vis-a-vis Delta Airlines, but what helps McCartney’s
The Worst Way To Begin A Work Stoppage
Thu, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
Granted, there’s no good way to begin a work stoppage but the recent one at the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) is starting off as a text book example for how stakeholders should never approach something like this. If this is all new to you, here’s an overview of the fighting points: Let’s break this down
It’s Demo Time!
Wed, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
There’s nothing quite like having a good problem and one that’s been nagging away at my elbow over the past two months is getting the Venture Platform’s Live Demo back online. Since launching the 2.0 update business has been booming, so much so that getting non-client projects completed, like the demo update, has been an
Time To Slaughter A Sacred Cow
Tue, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
It should come as no surprise to anyone with more than a handful of experiences attending live classical music events to realize that there are more than a few traditions that accompany the concert experience. Equally unsurprising is how effective some of those traditions are at alienating concertgoers and one in particular that has been
Another Indianapolis Symphony Exec Is Out
Mon, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
If nothing else, when Gary Ginstling officially begins his tenure at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) on March 18, 2013 he won’t be burdened by executive dream team building concerns. In this case, all but a few of those billets are currently empty and on March 4, 2013, the ISO announced yet one more impending
Hell Hath No Fury Like A Legislature Scorned
Fri, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
On 3/7/2013, Minnesota Representatives Jim Davnie and Rick Hansen presented a letter to Jim Nobles at the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) co-signed by 86 fellow members of the MN legislature (that’s 42 percent of all seats) requesting that his office “audit the books of the Minnesota Orchestra Association (MOA), including a review
More Cancellations for St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
Thu, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) announced additional concert cancellations in the wake of the prolonged work stoppage that has obliterated more than four months of concerts and events. The SPCO has officially called off all engagements for the next six and half weeks through April 21, 2013. Statements from the SPCO and the musicians
Concrete Ideas From Imaginary Program Notes
Wed, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
Violinist Holly Mulcahy posted an article at Neo Classical on 3/4/2013 titled Imaginary Program Notes: What We Can Learn From Children that examines the value in foisting less structure on our listeners. It’s loaded with just the right amount of “Duh” realizations we all need to hear from time to time. I won’t spoil the
Reaping The Rewards Of A Well Designed Economy Of Scale Business Model
Tue, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
When The Venture Platform was launched in the fall of 2010, its success or failure rested squarely on an economy of scale business model that kept profit margins low and focused on incredibly solid code and unmatched service. If all went according to plan, users would benefit from an ongoing stream of upgrades and improvements
The Problem With Commentary Articles In Traditional Media
Mon, Mar 3, 2013
by Drew McManus
During orchestral labor disputes, there is no shortage of tactics employed by both sides to distribute static messages to the general public, but few can try your patience more than the conventional editorial commentary found in traditional news outlets. To be fair, the warring factions aren’t to blame here, they’re merely taking advantage of a
