Last week the Boise Philharmonic appointed Robert Franz to be their next Music Director. I know Robert well, he succeeded me in Buffalo and I showed him around before he moved there. We have been in touch from time to time. I was a candidate in Boise also (although not in the final running) and upon hearing the news I was very happy for him and for them…wait a second I’m not supposed to feel this way, aren’t we all supposed to be competitors, fierce rivals, we are conductors, surely there must be some mistake…..have I lost my competitive streak?…..
Ron, do you have any pants…?
I had an absolutely wonderful time with the Syracuse Symphony last week doing Brahms 3 and the Dvorak Cello Concerto with Mark Kosower, an incredible artist. We have all experienced that moment after arriving somewhere when we realize we’ve forgotten something. What was unusual when we were in Jamestown NY last week was the call I received an hour before the concert from a musician in the orchestra. It’s impossible to make this stuff up, especially since we were in the birthplace of Lucille Ball!…….
Introducing…Alecia Lawyer
I am excited to welcome as a guest blogger, Alecia Lawyer. She is the founder, Executive Director and Principal Oboe of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in Houston and in my view a true pioneer, someone who’s mission is the Audience Connection. I wrote about ROCO in March and after doing so Alecia and I talked on the phone. Now she is here and has written a truly wonderful post…enjoy!
Sgt. Van’s Lonely Piano Club Band
I know I’m hip deep in an opera but today marks an important anniversary. So the question is – where were you 50 years ago today when the world changed?
On the Go with Frank Almond!
Friend, former colleague and now fellow inside the arts contributor, Frank Almond is someone who’s always been “plugged in”. A little known fact is that his brother Cliff is a phenomenal drummer with an international career. Frank’s On the Go list I would describe as an eclectic and high energy mix!…….
Stepping in it…….
Anyone who has been to France knows that there is one thing that you always have to look out for. It’s not the drivers, or the weather, or the beret wearing old-timer screaming anti-American insults. No, it’s the “merde de chien.” And we have stepped right into it…..
The Audience Connection – TAFTO 2008
I have been bumped up a day and my contribution for TAFTO 2008 on Adaptistration is up right now. It’s all about mystery shopping at the Symphony! My 4 students from last semester all reviewed a Symphony performance here in Springfield, but this is a review with a twist…literally! Read it here: TAFTO 2008
Into the Lyon’s Den
I am in Lyon, the beautiful city nestled in, around, and between the twin rivers of the Rhone and the Saone. I’m going to like it here.