I’m a big fan of technology, I’m always bummed out when something I have is super seeded by a new model. I still have that old crusty 1st generation ipod touch (18 months old!). I was intrigued like many when the Concert Companion first came out, a device to enhance the understanding of the concert experience with real time program notes, video and other features. After the initial buzz, it kind of died down, and I haven’t heard much about it since and it seems that some are using Twitter for live notes. Well the creator of CoCo (it’s nickname) is now in charge of an Orchestra, one that needs a serious recharge, but I’m pretty sure a CoCo or an internet connection is not the answer…..
Ron Spigelman
Two Takes – Entrepreneurship and Michelle Obama’s Speech
My class brings current blog posts and/or articles to debate, 3 on Tuesday and 3 on Thursday. In the clips below first Mackenna and I discuss the perception of what an entrepreneur is from an article by David Cutler, author of the soon to be released Savvy Musician. Then 3 of them on Tuesday brought in an article about Michelle Obama’s speech given in Pittsburgh about the arts. We kind of disagreed on what the impact will be, or if there will be any at all….
The Three Am”egos”…..
The common wisdom is to always look forward, live in the present, never in the past, whats done is done and so on. However at the Springfield Symphony’s season opening concert last Saturday, we brought the past to life in celebration of the our 75th anniversary season. We didn’t bring out archives to display in the lobby, we didn’t project pictures of the orchestra in embarrassing 70’s clothing above the stage. None of that. Instead we brought the past two Music Directors back for a joint concert, including a piece we conducted all at the same time! It was quite a week!….
What I meant to say was…..
It makes my head scratch when an orchestra that is about to begin a search for their next music director on the one hand indicates that they need someone who’s willing to spend more time in their city than their departing music director, but on the other hand indicates in writing that they are not necessarily expecting them to….time to address the dreaded residency question, off to Tuscaloosa we go……..
Needing a Band(age)
My Audience Connection class is in full swing and below I post my first sound clip of the semester. Lawren read a blog post by Molly Sheridan (Mind the Gap) about a school band t-shirt that “created” an uproar. Darwin is turning in his…now where did he go exactly?…….
Book Review – The Savvy Musician by Dr David Cutler
So you want to be a musician? and Are There Too Many Musicians? These are two questions asked in the introduction by Dr David Cutler author of the soon to be released book The Savvy Musician. With doom and gloom seemingly around every corner for the arts, this book is a like a GPS for musicians to find an alternative route, one that wont just bring a check whilst biding ones time waiting for a “regular job” to appear. No, David goes so far as to suggest that alternatives can help the art form itself become relevant! My neck is sore from all the nodding I was doing whilst reading this, and so I decided to write my first ever book review……..
Another Drumroll Please……
Just a quick note today to say that I am totally thrilled to announce that I have been appointed the Music Director of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta!!!!!! I recently wrote about my time up there and I am excited that I (with my family!) will be getting to spend 6 weeks in the summers collaborating with a terrific Orchestra in one of the most glorious places on earth! Later this week I will post a book review (my first ever) of The Savvy Musician by David Cutler
Back to School Special!!!
Next week my class The Audience Connection starts up again and like last year it will be podcast and I will post highlights at Houndbite. This class deals with current affairs in the arts world and so just like last year, I am asking for topic requests. Either send one as a comment on this post or send me an email. I will post highlights from these discussions. Below is a clip from one of last year’s requested topics…..