And so it goes, Shreveport claims it’s now fiscally responsible by implementing their cuts. However the cuts run deeper than just in financial terms. The musicians probably feel like the they have been on the losing end of a game of Whac-A-Mole after reading final sentence in the article that reported the imposed decision…..
Current Events
Not Backtracking, just Trackbacking!
Yesterday over on Violinist.com Mark Johnson linked to my post Philippe Quint ring’s Joshua’s Bell and there has been some very lively discussion to say the least! I have posted a comment there also in response. Feel free to join in the fun there or here. I will delay today’s post till tomorrow. I love passionate debate!….
Praying for Time….
No not an exasperated cry! Time stood still for me last night when George Michael sang this song near the end of the American Idol finale last night. It was as if the memory flood gates flung open. Yes we watched AI, and it was such a disappointing season (I have never fast forwarded so much), until that moment…
Philippe Quint rings Joshua’s Bell!!!!
The recent return of Philippe Quint’s Violin and his concert of gratitude to a group of cabbies is in stark contrast to the ill conceived busking session with Joshua Bell in a Washington Metro station last year. One was an audience connection, the other…Oi!….
Sgt. Van’s Lonely Piano Club Band
I know I’m hip deep in an opera but today marks an important anniversary. So the question is – where were you 50 years ago today when the world changed?
The Audience Connection – TAFTO 2008
I have been bumped up a day and my contribution for TAFTO 2008 on Adaptistration is up right now. It’s all about mystery shopping at the Symphony! My 4 students from last semester all reviewed a Symphony performance here in Springfield, but this is a review with a twist…literally! Read it here: TAFTO 2008
Columbus: Chicken Soup for the Symphony (and it’s not a gimmick!)
Something is simmering in Columbus, but it’s not the usual recipe! I wrote here and here about the initial reactions to what essentially amounts to a gutting of an orchestra. Sure there is anger, but there is also bravery and dignity. The audience from the beginning were empowered and now they are speaking out officially with a web-site that doesn’t sit on the fence…..it is the fence!
Update: Orchestra Health
In my post What Defines a Healthy Orchestra I wrote that Orchestras should consider exploring the possibility of recruiting a “team doctor” to donate some time to help musicians in need, especially the ones who travel to play with them. I have some news!!!…