There is always a hyperventilating that takes place when the so called “model” is challenged and why is it that Orchestras live in the extreme? When there are problems everything an orchestra does has to change, and when there are not, let’s spend spend spend, and ignore any impending problems. I cannot over emphasize enough that spending whenever we do it is never the answer, we would be all well served re-reading the Knight Foundation Magic of Music report (linked below). What is the answer?….
Aud.Connect
Quick Takes: How about thinking INSIDE the box? and request time!
A completely overused statement “thinking outside the box” needs to be reworked and soon. I used to love using it, but now I feel it is a cop out statement as if to say we are going to try something new and different and if it doesn’t work, well at least we tried! Also my new Audience Connections class has begun (16 students!) and like I do every year I am asking for requests of arts related topics and current events for us to discuss in class, and I will post the audio! Bottom left is the Audience Connection tab if you want to listen to podcasts and read related articles…now to the box….
I’m Baaaack….coming up!
After a week of decompression (and a quick trip to Tulsa) following my 6 week Lake Placid stint, Wednesday begins my new Audience Connections class with podcasts and audio highlights starting next week. An interesting article about the role of the Assistant Conductor came out recently, I have a lot to say about that, plus a fellow Australian sounds off on what audiences should be focusing on…oh my, if you have read my postings, I think for the most part it should be the opposite. All of this and more coming up … Continue Reading
Things that move….
I’m in the midst of the busiest schedule of my life in Lake Placid and in Syracuse, with 3 (this week 5) concerts a week till mid August, but that doesn’t mean there is no time to be moved….just not much time to write about it! Yesterday something struck me and a friend shared with me a clip that reminded me just how we can through music both move and be moved, I also kind of broke an unwritten rule….
Terry Teachout and how we go from Zero to Hero! – plus a mini tribute
Ernest Fleischmann passed and I had one treasured experience with him that I want to share, but first to Terry Teachout. Terry I say thank you for your article raising the question of eliminating regional orchestras, yes thank you! He opened an even bigger debate than in my Context/Urtext post (it is somewhat related) which is: what is the definition of the word “artistic”?…..
Quick Takes: A Sustainable Business Model…How is it Possible?
It seems that a huge focus in the Symphony world is to create the ideal business model for success. Thousands of hours and millions of dollars are spent on conferences, consultant fees, marketing schemes etc… and yet the secret ingredient, is neither a secret, not does it cost anything. The best business model without it will fail, yet the worst business model with it might actually succeed!…….
It needs to be about CONTEXT not URTEXT!!!!
At Cliburn last year I kept hearing “it has to be about the music”. I’m sorry MUSIC IS NOT ABOUT MUSIC, it’s about everything else! We spend so much time focusing on trying to get people to fall in love with music and with what we do. This will only happen when we do the opposite first i.e It’s time for us to be into them! Trying to tap into their pulse still puts us on the outside looking in, the goal should be to become part of their bloodstream…..
Stravinsky on a Stick…
It’s that time of year again, when the average Minnesotan starts salivating profusely and planning their foray into the great culinary unknown. Yes, folks, it’s just around the corner, only three months away. The great Minnesota get-together known as …….. The Minnesota State Fair!!!! WHEEE!!!!! Heart surgeons within 500 miles are on high alert…