Every once and a while I find the need to write a blog that will garner me a whole bunch of hate mail. I can’t wait for the inbox once this one is published. Those choir people are going to be up in arms.
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Better Late Than Never…..
This is a post for all young conductors out there. Let me tell you about the day I was invited to conduct the Cleveland Orchestra….. and turned them down.
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.
The Death of the Learnéd Musician
I’ve noticed a very disturbing trend in musicians that must be rectified. It is a problem that might not be immediately noticed by the general public but, none-the-less, promises to cheapen our art to the point where live performances will become irrelevant. It can be summed up in three words – “Think for yourself.”
NEC Races For A Cure
The last couple of weeks has given us an interesting contrast in crisis management. We have seen two institutions make missteps that have significantly enraged their constituencies, and once the backlash turned into a frontlash (so to speak) these situations have been managed in polar opposite ways. It’s a pity that the music world continues [...]
Kumbaya, Richmond, Kumbaya
It is puzzling – the tendency of an organization to shoot itself in the foot. After so many obvious examples of what not to do there is, more often than not, that institutional moment which causes one to quote that great American Philosopher Homer Simpson – “D’OH!!!” These days Homer is speaking in a mid-Atlantic [...]
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. [...]
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James: I have heard many on the political right say that ...
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Bill Eddins: Thanks for your note. I shall concede your point ...
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Sean M: Great post! I agree that we need to make Classical...
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Janet: I'm tempted to say I've lost all respect for you...
