The Audience….who are they…and why do they do that?

So there he is right in the center, and every time I turn around he’s still asleep?  Wait a second why is that person leaving without even applauding, climbing over other patrons, was our performance that bad that you couldn’t wait for even one curtain call?  Are they just rude or is there something wrong with me, oh no IS THAT THE CRITIC??? !!!  We need to stop concluding that this is about us…….(even though it might be)

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Coming up…..

I’m in a crazy travel, concerts, auditions this week and next week but I am working on some posts including:

Who are they?…..the audience that is…and who are they to us?

Playing all the movements….especially the environmental one!

A sustainable model for success, is it even possible?

Below the same video twice, what happens when a conductor loses his temper, and then the full video with aftermath….

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Quick Takes: Remembrances….

My father was honored as a holocaust survivor this past weekend by being asked to speak to thousands of students at one of the Marches for the Living in Poland (which was overshadowed by the tragic plane crash).  It made me think of something, and that is, since becoming a Music Director I have attended many more funerals and visitations than any other kind of ceremony….

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Message Control and the Clouds in the Silver Lining….

Three different groups announced financial news that will have a big impact on their respective organizations, but with each announcement the negative is the focus with little or no regard for the impact the actual announcement might have on their constituents confidence going forward.  It’s We’re a 4 Alarm Dumpster fire, run for your lives!…meets…sheesh only 30 million dollars….meets…. welcome back to the Millennium!……..

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Quick Takes: The Gold Medal for the greatest Orchestra goes to…..

Another attempt to pit Orchestras against each other in an unofficial “Olympics” at Carnegie is a real head scratcher.  What is the prize, who actually cares and what is the point?  Thankfully Alex Ross provides some sanity but what is interesting is how Orchestras making the Carnegie pilgrimage seem to think it is a magic bullet to spur ticket sales back at home……

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Passing the Buck(eye)….

Why is it always surrender?  Why can’t it be retreat to re-engage, re- strategize to re-connect with a community, or rebuilding instead of  tearing down?  The Columbus Symphony is going a very strange route and is in danger of being on a one-way street with no turning back allowed by essentially giving over day to day operations (and possibly more) to another group.  The problem is indicative as the orchestra world grapples with economic realities, but again I say let’s stop being victims and start taking action.  We need to stop waiting for the tide to turn and start making some waves!…..

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