Friend, former colleague and now fellow inside the arts contributor, Frank Almond is someone who’s always been “plugged in”. A little known fact is that his brother Cliff is a phenomenal drummer with an international career. Frank’s On the Go list I would describe as an eclectic and high energy mix!…….
Month: April 2008
Stepping in it…….
Anyone who has been to France knows that there is one thing that you always have to look out for. It’s not the drivers, or the weather, or the beret wearing old-timer screaming anti-American insults. No, it’s the “merde de chien.” And we have stepped right into it…..
The Audience Connection – TAFTO 2008
I have been bumped up a day and my contribution for TAFTO 2008 on Adaptistration is up right now. It’s all about mystery shopping at the Symphony! My 4 students from last semester all reviewed a Symphony performance here in Springfield, but this is a review with a twist…literally! Read it here: TAFTO 2008
Into the Lyon’s Den
I am in Lyon, the beautiful city nestled in, around, and between the twin rivers of the Rhone and the Saone. I’m going to like it here.
A tribute to the Ladies…..
It’s been an interesting day with Porgy & Bess. The day started off with a tribute to my favorite ladies (with the exception of my lovely wife)…….
Revolution for an Evolution part 2 – Breaking Hands
Pianists from past centuries, particularly those who were composers would use the printed notes as a guide or a jumping off point to improvise, as well as engage in “Breaking Hands”, meaning their hands would not rhythmically synchronize with one another. In contemporary musical forms such as Jazz and Pop, these practices are the norm and continue to help keep them current. It brought back a memory of when a great Jazz musician did this in a Classical piece right in front of me, and where schools could take this to help make Classical music current by reaching way back into the past…..
Columbus: Chicken Soup for the Symphony (and it’s not a gimmick!)
Something is simmering in Columbus, but it’s not the usual recipe! I wrote here and here about the initial reactions to what essentially amounts to a gutting of an orchestra. Sure there is anger, but there is also bravery and dignity. The audience from the beginning were empowered and now they are speaking out officially with a web-site that doesn’t sit on the fence…..it is the fence!
And the Beat goes on…….
It’s Sunday, a free day for the cast and crew of Porgy. But for 50,000 intrepid souls, and however many watching, it was the day of the Paris Marathon!