I mentioned in my $50,000 Cupcakes post that I would suggest a way to spend “no strings attached”money that might actually benefit an orchestra. I believe that the money should somehow benefit the audience profoundly and directly, but more importantly the children of those in the audience, with programs that have a chance of sustainability. By spending money this way, in the end it benefits all involved. Let’s go shopping…..in Texas!
Aud. Develop
“All White on the Night”!….
There’s a vitriolic war of words going on across the pond in Great Britain over this statement made by the Arts Minister Margaret Hodge:
“The audiences for many of our greatest cultural events – I’m thinking of the Proms but it is true of many others – is still a long way from demonstrating that people from different backgrounds feel at ease in being part of this.”
She is being torn apart for this, but there is a balanced and profound viewpoint that I came across……
Way to Go Nagano!
“It was so exciting to be in a jam-packed arena…..I was impressed by the ferocity of the crowd’s emotions. There was such a personal investment and identification with the players. And the mood can change very, very quickly.”
This is a quote by Kent Nagano that appeared recently in the Toronto Globe and Mail. He’s not talking about a concert though…….
Birth of the New
For today’s post I have a very special guest: Allan Gilliland is a composer based in Edmonton, and tonight the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is giving the World Premiere of his newest work – Dreaming of the Masters II: Rhapsody GEB. In Allan’s own words this is what it’s all about………
“Blah Blah Blah Spigelman!”
A blogger wrote the above comment in a post about a performance I conducted 18 months ago at our annual “Firefall” festival, a patriotic extravaganza with incredible fireworks. I think the blogger was right in this case since when I talked, the fireworks paused! When judging whether or not talking to an audience is a good idea, I believe what is said by a conductor is secondary to their motivation to talk…..
For Goodness Sakes Let Me Move, and Please Clean the Piano!!!
When I go to Syracuse I sometimes stay with a wonderful couple, Todd and Debbie Cornell. They are Symphony subscribers, donors, and volunteers. Whenever I am with them we have long discussions (usually while gorging on Debbie’s incredible blueberry pancakes) about the orchestra world, and as audience members they recently expressed to me two very different desires for the concert experience………
What’s in a Name?
It is funny – as a Music Director you’re responsible for putting together a season that is coherent and musically fulfilling. But then it’s thrown into the hopper of PR/Marketing and God only knows what is going to come out. You’re thinking one thing and then you catch a glimpse of what is going out to the public and – “that’s not what I had in mind!” So, what’s in a name?
At the “Knight”, it’s a new Dawn!
After my rant about the Heinz Endowments last week, it came as a complete but welcome surprise to read of how the Knight Foundation has changed their philosophy of giving, at least for three arts organizations in South Florida. I believe they will ultimately prove that vision always begins with common sense!….