Smack Down – Mahler 5 – It’s personal!….

It’s been a while since we did one of these, but since mentioning that I was conducting a performance of Mahler’s 5th, Bill suggested we don the gloves for yet another round. Now this time it’s personal! Mahler 5 is like family to me, it even stopped my rebellious teenagehood in its tracks…well for a day anyway….. First things first, our performance went over big, the audience reaction was incredible. If Mahler does anything, it makes at least the Springfield Symphony musicians check out their parts way in advance (some even last … Continue Reading

Fear Factor(y)!….

We are not going to admit it are we?  Why is it that writers constantly try to put a positive spin on the negative by proclaiming it’s simply an emotional response that prevents people from attending a Symphony concert or an arts event, basically saying it’s their fault.  This time it’s fear, yes people are fearful, scardey cats, wobbly need at the thought of an audience member shooting them a dirty look if you applaud inthe wrong place.  Give me a break, if 98% of a city is not into you, it can’t be just fear.  I mean it is not as if they are being asked to bungee jump (although you should see how high the balcony is in our hall)…..

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It’s Official – We are the #1 Orchestra in all of….

Springfield Missouri! I don’t know how Gramophone Magazine missed us, obviously they are biased by not mentioning us in their top 20 orchestras of the world issue! PLEASE, what is the point of doing this except to p@#% off people? The truth is, the arguments wont rage, and no one is relocating from the city with the #2 orchestra to the city with the #1 orchestra (although it is in Amsterdam and there are some benefits)…..are they?….

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A Flat Brew…..

My class is winding up soon, I will miss this group.  The students bring articles and blog posts to discuss each class and Amanda brought one about the Night Shift Series put on by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment which takes place late at night, where drinking beer is allowed and encouraged (musicians don’t get too excited)….if you’re in the audience……

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Junichi and the sad truth….

Both Bill and Drew have Junichi’s so called departure well covered.  The legacy he has left behind is a future for the orchestra.  His speaking out and standing with the musicians, essentially throwing himself under the proverbial bus, was the catalyst for no acceptance for a reduction in Orchestra personnel.  This means that that they do not have start completely over artistically.  Much damage has been done but the foundation remains, and I credit Junichi in large part for that.  There is a sad truth to what will probably happen next, and I have a challenge for the CSO and their next Music Director (who will have many challenges that is for certain!)…..

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The People Business….

I am embroiled in rehearsals for Mahler 5 and was not going to write till later in the week, but something jumped out at me over on Greg Sandow’s blog that I could not let pass by. The talk of free concerts for the community have been the subject of his last two post,s and most of the comments coming back to him make me think that people still believe we are in the music business. We are not, we are in the people business!….

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Belated thanks…and a suggestion!

It occurred to me today that I didn’t realize when writing my post on Nov 5 commenting on the election, that it was Stick and Drones one year anniversary! I looked back these past few days browsing through some different posts and especially the comments.  I can’t tell you how exhilarating the journey has been so far….

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The Landing

An emotional night to say the least! There has been so much written said as to the significance of Obama’s win, and the usual “ponderings” of what now and where he stands on the arts. It’s very clear where he stands and the comparison I heard to his win and the 1969 landing on the moon does not even come close to the significance his victory represents…..

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