What I’ve not missed out on!

I remember in music school and even after the advice to be careful what a conductor agrees to do, and especially when it comes to Ballet because of the danger of being typecast or pigeonholed as a Ballet conductor!  Sometimes it’s a good idea not to listen!…..

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Flashback(s) 100 years……

I rarely attend concerts. It is not that I have no interest in music but rather than I have interest in things besides music. Being “seen” by the appropriate people is definitely not on that list. Playing with my kids is. So it takes a lot to get me out the door for an evening of classical fun. Thank God it happened Tuesday…..

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“Not one man will the State of Missouri furnish to carry on any unholy crusade”

So said Claiborne Fox Jackson as governor of Missouri in 1861 in response to Abraham Lincoln’s order for Jackson to provide Missouri troops to help fight the Civil War.  As history goes Missouri’s attempt at neutrality did not work out so well!  Especially for Governor Jackson.  Two of Missouri’s orchestras yesterday with the help of the League loaded their muskets to help in the fight for relevance and the battle against apathy, with an audience connection….

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Revolution for an Evolution part 6 – Heavier: A ton of feathers or a ton of bricks?

For some reason when there are “in depth” sessions about updating conservatory training to relate to the “real world”, the focus seems to always be on how the student can gain an advantage through learning marketing, entrepreneurial skills, managerial skills and general business acumen etc……  NEWS FLASH:

THIS IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF JOBS AVAILABLE!…..

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All bets are On!

So instead of attending the conference in Denver I went to Vegas!  My  two brothers (who live in different countries) for my 40th birthday  paid for my trip and met me there.  A billboard at the airport  surprised me big time!…

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Critical Mass(acre)

It happened again, this time in Lyon. There is that moment sometime after the first performance when someone in the administration of whatever orchestra I’m conducting says “have you seen the reviews?” – and I know that “the Moment” has arrived.

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Free Concerts?…more like Free Audiences…

So begins the summer, the time of the year when many Orchestras will do free and low cost outdoor concerts, 1 rehearsal affairs with a mix of pops, light classics and light shows!  With my professed like for Holiday concerts, for me this is the second most wonderful time of the year when an audience connection can be established…..

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