There is constant debate on what relationship an artist needs to have with their audience, and whether there needs to be one at all! I mean who needs ticket sales, donations or any audience at all really? Oh yeah, ALL OF US, not to mention what does the audience need?… I need to get something off my chest….
Plugging the Holes before Filling the Barrel (2009) – Put it in the Bank….
I’m 41 today yikes….On the theme of free tickets, when there are empty seats there is an opportunity for outreach. Subscribers have a choice of what to do with their tickets if they are not able to attend such as to give them to friends/family etc.. or to take a tax deduction. There is another choice that could be offered that would turn a subscriber into an active participant in a community outreach program…..
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….
Plugging the Holes before Filling the Barrel (2009) – We Salute You!…
My first Music Directorship was with the San Angelo Symphony (TX), and there were a lot of trial by fire moments that one can normally expect first time up at the plate. From the very beginning though I had always thought of an orchestra as a community service organization…..
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
Plugging the Holes before Filling the Barrel (2009) – When Blank Checks Have No Value!
With hand wringing over empty seats and the “papering” arts organizations do to make a hall look respectable, the phrase “not worth the paper it’s written on” comes to mind. There is a golden opportunity to empower the audience to help recruit new audience members with a free ticket and/or referral program…..
Plugging the Holes before Filling the Barrel (2009) – BOGO
Last year I published 5 posts under the Plugging the Holes category dealing with subscriber retention and audience recruitment utilizing the best advocates of all ….our subscribers and our orchestra! Two articles that I read this week have spurred me to continue the category…..
I’m Not Dead Yet!
There have been some ugly rumors floating around the internet about a couple orchestras. Perhaps it’s time to comment on them.