What continues to impress me about the Columbus Symphony musicians is their understanding of the situation, their hope and most of all their willingness to put a human face on what is at best an uncertain future. Again they are connecting to their city in a way that can be understood and appreciated by everyone…….
Ron Spigelman
New from Heinz: Cupcakes that cost $50,000!
I was working with the Syracuse Symphony last week and was able to take a trip to Eastman to meet with Greg Sandow, who is teaching there once a week for seven weeks. Our talk went all over the map and we shared many ideas. He suggested I check out the Heinz Endowments and their grants for audience initiatives. It just so happens that the program was also in the news last week. The news is not good though, not good at all!….
Junichi Hirokami and the CSO: Empowering the Audience!
It was not a stunt on January 19 when 22 musicians didn’t return to their seats until intermission was nearly over. It was a demonstration of what the orchestra might look like if the Columbus Symphony Orchestra board proposals for deep cuts are adopted. It was as if they were saying to the audience:
Is this the orchestra you want to see? You decide.
It was an extraordinary move, and now the audience is now going to be a part of the decision, as they should be!…………….
Plugging the Holes before Filling the Barrel – part 4 – “Lest We Forget!”
I want to mention a forgotten group of audience members, those who used to subscribe but are now physically unable to attend. Sadly when they stop subscribing, orchestras will eventually end the relationship. It’s not their fault they can’t attend anymore, and it’s time outreach included showing we still care about them by continuing the relationship……..
Plugging the Holes before Filling the Barrel – part 3 – “Real Identity Cards”
In about 45 minutes, we can connect with each of our audience members on a personal level. These programs have had a big impact, not just on the audience members, but on the musicians also….
Start Funding the People!!!
I feel as though Joe Patti threw up a pass with his post Preserving the Moldy Old Arts. So I thought I would catch the ball and run with it for a while. I believe that the way the arts are funded by many agencies is deeply flawed in that the money goes towards supporting the arts groups and artists over the people they serve. Remember the famous bridge to nowhere in Alaska? I think the NEA realized that they did not want to cross that bridge!….
ON THE GO: Anna Polonsky
I’m excited to officially introduce a new series to highlight what people in the business are listening to, reading and/or watching. I just worked with an extraordinary young pianist, Anna Polonsky. She gave me two lists, both of them great, and for someone so young, it is amazing how far back her favorites go, definitely some surprises for me anyway….
Jacksonville Music Director Fabio Mechetti responds to the settlement
During the Jacksonville lockout, I posted an opinion on December 19, 2007 regarding the music director’s role during such times. To read it click here. It is great news that the lockout is over and today, I received a letter from Fabio Mechetti. I am posting it below unedited: