The true deficit in an organization in trouble is the one in leadership. That is what ultimately turns a crack in the veneer into a fault line in the foundation. This is what is happening in Indianapolis, and it’s the first thing that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately the lack of leadership is working in favor for those who want to slash and burn. But there is something a little different about this situation and something that can most definitely be done….
Kicking the Dependency, Part 1 – Saving the Past
There is a petition circulating on causes.com that should be a no-brainer – “President Obama, save the house that Ives built.” I hereby officially state that I am against this petition. Read on.
Marvin Hamlisch – The day he gave me my just Desserts!
How lucky am I to have had the honor of working with Marvin. For 4 years I assisted him, accompanied him and produced a Holiday album when he was Principal Pops Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic and I was associate conductor. I have a story, a moment and a couple of classic one liners that I want to share as my tribute…
IT’S BEETHOVEN’S FAULT!
I did an interview with a reporter from Minnesota Public Radio recently exploring the difficulties being faced by the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. After a thorough dissection of the mistakes that led up to this current mess with both orchestras, and much of the classical music industry thereto, I have come to one undeniable conclusion – it’s Beethoven’s fault.
The search for the perfect (Cease) Business Model!
It seems that there is a lot of energy being put into finding ways to either shut an orchestra down or seriously compromise it’s existence. I don’t remember receiving an invitation to the “20,000 (Orchestra) Leagues Under the Sea” conference. The plans range from bankruptcy (Syracuse), canceling a season (Delaware), to trying to hire “new” musicians (Louisville). They all have one thing in common though…
No One Expects the 12-Tone Inquisition!
The worse thing that can happen to any art form is Orthodoxy, that awful suggestion that there is only one true way. Orthodoxy is quite possibly the major reason why there are so many problems in classical music today. Orthodoxy impedes free thinking, feeds the idea of believer vs. heathen, and attempts to suppress dissent. In my most recent post I set out to highlight an example of doctrinal thinking that feeds the perception that classical music is elitist. The easiest way to expose said orthodoxy, of course, is to challenge it publically by throwing out an outrageous idea. Looks like I succeeded.
IT’S SCHOENBERG’S FAULT!
I did an interview with a reporter from Minnesota Public Radio yesterday exploring the difficulties being faced by the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. After a thorough dissection of the mistakes that led up to this current mess with both orchestras, and much of the classical music industry thereto, I have come to one undeniable conclusion – it’s Schoenberg’s fault.
Dueling Band-Woes
Hot fun in the summertime seems like a lost cause in the Twin Cities. Instead, it looks like we will be treated to a summer of great discontent, followed by only the Gods know what. There’s only one guarantee – this is not going to be pretty.