Well, it seems that our friend Junichi in Columbus is taking some fire for “not putting down roots in the community.” On the opposite side of that coin one of the Columbus musicians has come to his defense by noting that the Executive Director, Tony Beadle, hasn’t put down any roots in Columbus either. While I appreciate the defense on behalf of Junichi I’d like to make another point – it is time for orchestras to drop this outdated idea of the Music Director In Residence. Starting right now.
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?…….
The Long and Winding Road……
So here in Syracuse, having a wonderful time and as of Yesterday, three concerts down, two to go, I read the news today oh boy…(I will explain the Beatles references), there is news to report and I’m tremendously excited as an old friend and myself have once again Come Together giving me a Ticket to Ride to Get back to where (I )once belonged……
From the heart……..
It’s summer, so I’m busy being a human being instead of a conductor. There’s a joke in there somewhere but it’s true. But because I’m looking at the world at large other things jump out at me, some of them very much part of the family history. So today I say goodbye to another world legend, one I never had the chance to meet, but who had a profound effect on my family.
What Would Scooby Do?……
I went to iTunes to look for a recording of American in Paris as I’m conducting it this week in Syracuse and I forgot to put it on my iPod before leaving on our trip. I discovered that on iTunes you can’t buy it for 99 cents like you can for a single song or movement, you have purchase it as part of a whole album and they all cost $9.99 except for one that costs $3.99 which according to the one listener review is terrible, one star and we shouldn’t waste our time…Ormandy, Philly, live…what?….it’s now one of my favorite downloads and price has nothing (much) to do with it…..
Road Trippin!…
The family is loaded in the van this 4th of July and we have hit the road for a rather strange trip that is part work, part play, part in the US and part abroad. There’s also an exciting update from my last post…..
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!
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.