The two sides to our “face”…

More and more I read about the new media and the great opportunities they represent for orchestras enabling them to reach many by creating an on-line community of supporters and the potential for personal connections.  Not just between the orchestra and their supporters, but between the supporters also.  In Springfield we have discussed this without making any firm decisions, and then something wonderful happened, a true audience connection……..

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Got Arts?…..

The NPAC conference received mixed reviews, I didn’t attend and as with any large conference there was bound to be both accolades and criticisms.  I was disturbed to read about the last town hall meeting, and in my mind it brought up a question that the arts must face in the future:

Which is more important: That the Arts matters to people or that the Arts cares about people?…….

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Fireworked!….

Bizarre happenings at our annual (or soon not to be) outdoor patriotic fireworks extravaganza, floods, errant fireworks, a deadly baton strike and my singing debut with a US Congressman….

UPDATE 5:35 EST – see below!

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Another dozen Chicken Wings please……

Man, it’s been a rough month for famous folks from my great home town of Buffalo, N.Y. First Tim Russert unexpectedly leaves us. Now this very morning we hear of the passing of Leonard Pennario. Time to fire up the deep-fryer in their honor and wrastle up a batch of suicide wings.

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“Not one man will the State of Missouri furnish to carry on any unholy crusade”

So said Claiborne Fox Jackson as governor of Missouri in 1861 in response to Abraham Lincoln’s order for Jackson to provide Missouri troops to help fight the Civil War.  As history goes Missouri’s attempt at neutrality did not work out so well!  Especially for Governor Jackson.  Two of Missouri’s orchestras yesterday with the help of the League loaded their muskets to help in the fight for relevance and the battle against apathy, with an audience connection….

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Revolution for an Evolution part 6 – Heavier: A ton of feathers or a ton of bricks?

For some reason when there are “in depth” sessions about updating conservatory training to relate to the “real world”, the focus seems to always be on how the student can gain an advantage through learning marketing, entrepreneurial skills, managerial skills and general business acumen etc……  NEWS FLASH:

THIS IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF JOBS AVAILABLE!…..

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