It has been an interesting few weeks closing out the ESO’s 08-09 season. Like most orchestras we get a fair amount of feedback about the concerts we present, but unlike many orchestras every email that we receive gets distributed throughout the staff, and posted by the musician’s lounge. This leads to some interesting reading.
Odds & Ends
Lie to Me!…..
We all have our favorite TV or Radio shows that we watch or listen to regularly, whether they be a guilty pleasure, relaxation, passing time in the car etc…One of the best shows of the TV season was the Fox show “Lie to Me” and in the very intense season finale Dr. Cal Lightman played by Tim Roth said something that I can’t stop thinking about….
Concert Snapshot: Revelations in the Courthouse Room (with apologies to Harry Partch)
I started off as a musical conservative. I admit that. If it was written after 1900 I wasn’t interested. Then I went to Eastman….
Happy Hello and Happy Trails!….
I’m thrilled to have been named Principal Pops Conductor of the Syracuse Symphony! I will get to do all kinds of programs: pops, regional, family, and some classical ones too! I have been a regular guest since 2002 and love working with them. My most memorable experience so far occurred traveling to a Holiday Pops in Rome, the worst travel day of my life but with a great ending! The most hilarious: “Ron do y0u have any pants?” I look forward to more great pants…I mean great experiences! With sadness though I’m … Continue Reading
Concert Snapshots: Dr. Piano Man’s Circus
Wow, last week was a busy week. Between the massive practicing I’m doing (recording projects in the future) and doing the parental thing I managed to catch three concerts, two of which I was directly involved with. They have caused me to muse out loud……
Bravo, you’re making it up as you go along, let us accredit you!
Having read the recent postings by Drew, and Joe regarding the booming music/arts school enrollments, I decided to do some digging. There is a body that is at least partially responsible for this, an association that accredits schools to be completely autonomous i.e accreditation for proving that you are doing whatever you want to do……the ultimate “unregulatory” body (apart from the SEC!)……
SCHUBERT!!! WE SHOULD BE PLAYING SCHUBERT!!!
Strangely, I have lately run across a certain mentality in the orchestra business that I thought was heading into extinction. Silly me.
To bring back a memory is greater than any compliment….
As a music director I believe that my position is one of privilege more than one of power. The true power lies in the opportunity to uplift and to lift up through the music we perform. All of us at one time or another wait for a letter, message or email to let us know what the next step in our own personal journey or career path will be. A letter I received recently though, put into even sharper focus that it’s about the next step in our audience’s journey and the privilege of being able to take it with them that defines success for me……