The last couple of weeks has given us an interesting contrast in crisis management. We have seen two institutions make missteps that have significantly enraged their constituencies, and once the backlash turned into a frontlash (so to speak) these situations have been managed in polar opposite ways. It’s a pity that the music world continues to learn nothing from the real world when it comes to PR/Crisis Management.
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Enough Already!
Stop it. It happens. Get over it.
Minnesota Not-So-Nice
In the Great White North the other shoe has dropped. Those of us who were expecting it can officially say……. well, we can’t say anything nasty, of course, because we live in Minnesota. So…… how ’bout dem Vikings?
An Ode To Jeremy
The most interesting conversations about Classical Music never happen in the Board Room, or after a concert, or in any venue that one would connect with the art form. My friend Jeremy reminded me of that on Thanksgiving Day.
Classical Music is….Undead?
One of my pet peeves is the insane and fruitless pursuit of new audiences with marketing techniques that are so insincere and gimmicky, that we end up losing audiences! From Guitar Hero contests to DJ’s at an Opera house to $50,000 being spent on a cupcake program, it seems we try to do anything we can to pretend we don’t play concerts but just have big classical raves. However a student brought to my class something that is on the surface a gimmick, but actually is a sincere link between pop culture and the classical era….
Way to Go BUFFALO…..and my former student was on the X Factor!
I can’t claim to be the Buffalonian my blogging colleague Bill can claim to be, but I did spend 4 amazing seasons as the associate conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic, and how gratifying it was to read today that they have signed a 5 year deal! Yes an agreement, and there is growth planned, there is communication, there is a positive outlook and for those who might sneer at the idea of something good about Buffalo, it’s a great city and my guess is you probably haven’t been there!…
Treating Patrons Like Kids….DON’T DO THAT!!!!! – Update: Response
Creativity is not only for the artists. A patron interfaces with an arts institution long before they get there, and time and time again the visitors guidelines and etiquette policies read as though buying a ticket is a passport to not being able to do anything coupled with an assumption that you know nothing, and that we are all 5 years old! We belittle patrons before they walk through the door, we simply have to get creative with this. My Audience Connection class took this on last week……(Update: response from Indianapolis below)
Now Just Wait One Cotton Pickin’ Minute…
Sometimes I’m not sure who to be mad at: Monday Morning Quarterbacks or the Lamestream Media. Guess I’ll try both.