We think we have it bad when it comes to support and attendance. Compared to us there is another art form that quite frankly is under siege, existing in a sea of indifference after helping to build our American cultural identity. The city where it was still thriving is struggling too, through no fault of it’s own, and we lament our situation?
Aud. Develop
When even the Brits are ahead of you…. Conductor Smack Down!
There has been much brouhaha concerning concert attire lately. Now, for the record, I love my Tails. They are made by my good and dear friend tailor John here in Minneapolis. John is a self-described stereotypical Italian Jewish tailor who knows much more music than I do and is one of the happiest people I know. He loves his job and I love working with him. When I put on the Tails he made for me it’s like I slip into another world of fancy dress and high society. Or in the … Continue Reading
What if Classical Music actually functioned as a business?
I am struck by a dichotomy this morning. Like many “classical” musicians of my generation I have a really strong interest in Rock, Jazz, World music, just about anything that strikes my fancy. You could call me part of the iPod generation that way. So I also study the business of the Other Side of Music. In today’s NYTimes is this very interesting article on 360 deals for rising bands. Suddenly my brain drifts into a fantasy —–
What every musician needs…….
Musicians live in a world of fantasy, aural color, imagination, and all to frequently self-delusion. But I am fond of reminding people that what we do on a daily basis certainly beats working for a living. That’s not to say it isn’t hard work, but it is to say that we frequently get much more joy out of what we do than do most people. But every musician wants to go beyond the daily performance. We want to be known for all time, for posterity, and be known beyond our little home audience, be that some small town in Wyoming or downtown, New York City. So, what do we need? We need a place to make our dreams come true.
Taking it for Granting…..
The Springfield Symphony (MO) was just awarded a substantial grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for implementing a city wide program of community concerts with the assistance of students from 4 elementary schools helping to produce them with the aid of our professional staff. But, there’s a twist! Two hours before presenting the proposal to the committee, I was standing in front of my Audience Connections class discussing both the program and the presentation getting their feedback which actually altered my presentation. However that’s not the twist (more on the program soon). It’s that the grant is not the reason we are doing the program……
Out of the Shadows……
I could not be more excited about this opportunity, it is both an honor to be invited in by Drew and to share a blog with Bill. For the record my wife Lisa and I are legal immigrants from Australia. My title refers to the fact that now having space on a blog means that I wont just be leaving hit and run comments like I have on Drew’s and many other blogs over the past two years. It is time to step up to the mike and state my position, and to take some hits myself!
Here goes…….