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Those Who Can’t Do Redux – Maestro Myths

As I expected there was some very interesting feedback from my recent conductor rants.  Personally, I find the fact that the secret society of The Golden Baton didn’t send the Mahler Ninjas to disrupt my concerts last week quite surprising – whether that means that I’m just too small time to merit their attention is [...]

Even More STATisfying! – part 2

Yesterday I wrote of our 80%+ concerts that are free of charge, today I want to take my hat off to the biggest donor group (outside of our board) so far this season.  This is another stat that made us very proud, and it was also a surprise to them!  They are……..

… and if you CAN do…. A.K.A. – Another Inconvenient Truth

I’m an equal opportunity kind of guy.  Since in my last post I called into question all those working conductors out there who don’t play their instruments anymore, I feel it’s only fair to look at another side of the coin – players who are driven to pick up the baton.  I’m starting to feel [...]

Quick Takes: How transparent are we?

We all make a big deal sometimes that as an organization we are transparent, see through, nothing to hide etc…but is there a test out there that determines just how transparent we really are?  It is more relevant that with transparency someone can see, “who you” rather than see “through you”!  Recently at the Springfield [...]

More Holiday Zen!

To go along with Drew’s Zen moment, presenting the silent Monks “singing” the Hallelujah Chorus.  Click below, you will not be disappointed, brilliant!!!!…….

Quick Takes: What’s My Job?

Every once in a while I want to post about things that I believe in, that drive me, ideas that pop up.  Not necessarily related to anything that is going on specifically, but just to get the voices in my head on paper!  For the first quick take:
What’s my Job?…….

Three Lasting Impressions…..

Last week was inspiring, surprising and also very sobering, as events in Los Angeles, Springfield and Fort Worth gave me a perspective from the global, local and highly personal aspects of what I do and who I relate to.  A celebration of renewal, the linking to an icon (well sort of) and the passing of [...]

Needing a Band(age)

My Audience Connection class is in full swing and below I post my first sound clip of the semester.  Lawren read a blog post by Molly Sheridan (Mind the Gap) about a school band t-shirt that “created” an uproar.  Darwin is turning in his…now where did he go exactly?…….

Another Drumroll Please……

Just a quick note today to say that I am totally thrilled to announce that I have been appointed the Music Director of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta!!!!!!  I recently wrote about my time up there and I am excited that I (with my family!) will be getting to spend 6 weeks in the summers collaborating [...]

More Random Thoughts

It’s summer, in case you haven’t noticed, and I’m finding it hard to sit down and write the 3,000 word exposé.  I’m sure I’ll get back into it in a few weeks.  In the interim – more random thoughts.

Summer musings and amusings!

Tagging onto Bill’s random thoughts, some things have been rattling round my head, along with some things I picked up on our trip and online, starting with an intriguing question from a member of the Syracuse Symphony as we were preparing to play a concert in Rome NY…..

Jumping in the Lake!

So we are on our way back to Springfield, MO, after a glorious month dividing our time between Syracuse and Lake Placid, NY, doing concerts in both places.  Pictured left is Mirror Lake at Lake Placid (taken with our cheap digital camera no less!) breathtaking does not begin to describe the Adirondack region.  There was [...]