There is a free fall happening that is hard to get our collective heads around, and the infighting going on in orchestras is shutting out the most valuable and viable of voices, the audience. Whether it’s a lockout (Indy), a force in (Jacksonville), a bankruptcy or a strike, the “why can’t we all just get along” cliche is actually appropriate for a very specific reason….
Current Events
Gentlemen/Ladies…Stop Your Engines…The INDY minus 500!
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…
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…
The Sinking of the Minnesota
Great orchestras are like great ships of the line. They cruise regally above the waves, guns/brass blaring, a mighty vision of sight and sound to all who bear witness. But it’s below decks where trouble starts, and no amount of noise on deck can stop a leaking hull.
How to turn up the quiet…by Alecia Lawyer
With several incidents of conductors stopping performances for children (this article from Dayton) and cell phones (seemingly the only way to make the news these days), it begs the question especially in the case of children: is there something short of ostracizing them (and their parents) that can be done to allow quiet in a concert hall with children present? Most definitely yes, as guest blogger and Founder/ED of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra Alecia Lawyer will explain…..
The 2011 Report Card
Good Morning! It’s time for the Year in Review, where orchestras that were in the news in 2011 receive their year-end grades from SticksandDrones. In the Biz we would call them “Mid-Term Juries,” and I’m sure that expression just put a shiver up the spine of the two musicians who actually read this blog. “B” is considered a passing grade. Anything below that is suspect. A “B+” or above, in this day and age, is considered a miracle near the level of the loaves and fishes. So, in no particular order: