A Secretary of the Arts? I have been reading about this idea and I think we are way ahead of ourselves, crossing the finish line before running the race! Building from the top down doesn’t work. The Arts have plenty of cheerleaders and advocates, we do not need an advocate in chief. That might be a feel good idea, but if the arts are truly to become a part of our nation’s narrative, we have to think much bigger….
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Concert snapshot: The Minnesota Orchestra
I rarely attend orchestra concerts. Usually I’m the one conducting, and if I’m not then it’s probably my turn to look after the kids. Today was a rare exception.
Today in Calaveras county, the Frogs have stopped jumping….
It was with a great deal of sadness to learn of the passing of Lukas Foss, an icon of 20th century American music. Whilst as a student in London in the late 80’s I attended the European premiere (it may have been the world premiere) of his Renaissance Concerto with James Galway and the London Symphony, and in 2003 I actually got to work with him….
Nothing to Hide – Going from Film to Digital in Rochester….
It’s not often you hear of someone who shoulders the blame for an organization’s deficit by claiming it’s partly their management style that caused it! It makes me wonder though, if nearly half your staff left in the last 14 months, if advertising that is a way to attract solid personnel? Also is a renovated hall the key to help people accept innovative programming?…..
ONE MORE TIME!!!
I’m about to enter my own personal hell and it has led to some reflection on repertoire and the rep choices that orchestras make.
Paying for Arts in the Land of the Free…
I was sad to read that the Milwaukee Symphony are canceling 4 out of their 5 free concerts. It’s probable that many more orchestras might be forced to cancel free concerts as budget choices are made. In Springfield we usually do 2 free concerts each summer. They are not for certain since they’re connected with city festivals that are at this point are on hold. The NEA might be getting $50 million extra this year, so I’ve got a suggestion…..
Dear President Obama…..
Congratulations….to us! So many have tried to define you, to put you in a box so that they may find it easy to corner you, and yet you surprise all of us at every turn….
Dear Mr. President…
Dear Mr. President…….. First, let me tell you how delighted I am to be able to say those words.