Michael Stugrin, writing in the spring 2015 issue of Symphony magazine (page 42), presents an interesting overview of a new trend among orchestras − performing with amateurs. Most orchestras have been doing “side by side” performances with their local youth orchestra for decades (I played such a concert with the Boston Symphony at Symphony Hall way back[…]
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Within this Darwinian analysis of higher education, what is the state of play in the performing arts and where exactly is their place in our contemporary world?
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While there is plenty of negative press about the struggle of orchestras in the 21st century, here is a New York Times article about recent successes at the Cincinnati Symphony that is quite encouraging.
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Congress passed a law three years ago to address the problems musicians have encountered flying with their instruments, but the regulations, which will cause the airlines to implement the law, were only published in January, 2015. And then the airlines had 60 days to get things in order to implement the new regulations. Thanks to the efforts[…]
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The invaluable Norman Lebrecht once again breaks a story: Musicians in the Colorado Symphony Orchestra have filed to decertify from their union, the American Federation of Musicians., from representing them in contract negotiations. The causes of dissension are obscure and both sides are staying tight-lipped, but a petition has been filed here and a vote[…]
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James Stewart, author of Den of Thieves and many other prize-winning investigative works, has turned his talent to exploring the recent contract negotiations at the Metropolitan Opera. In the March 25, 2015 issue of the New Yorker magazine, Stewart presents an amazingly detailed analysis of these negotiations and what led up to them. As one[…]
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Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research Grant Program Apply for a 2015 Grant by September 1, 2015 This grant program is intended to provide funding for research, events, and new initiatives related to innovative ensembles. Applications for funding will be accepted on an annual basis; grants will range from $500-$2,000. The total amount awarded[…]
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The Guardian recently published an edited version of NY Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert’s 2015 Royal Philharmonic Society Lecture. In the lecture, Gilbert describes his view of where we are today – how orchestras are doing some serious soul-searching to discover what role they will play in their communities going forward. Orchestras are trying all[…]
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As I write this introduction to my Editor’s Choice for this month, at top of mind for me is the former Director of the Eastman School of Music, Robert Freeman. In 1972 he was named director of Eastman, a position he held for 24 years. He returned to Eastman this week to be formally honored[…]
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This sounds like exactly the sort of thing orchestras of all levels should be doing to deepen the connection between…