Entrepreneurs in Music — and Don’t Forget about Mozart!

I thought readers might want to see some examples of orchestral entrepreneurs so here are a few for a little more inspiration.

Boston Symphony Orchestra member Entrepreneurs:

Timpanist Vic Firth retired in 2003 after 50 years (!) with the orchestra. Conductor Seiji Ozawa said Vic was one of the 2 musicians in the BSO from whom he’d learned the most. Five decades with the same employer sounds like a very traditional career, but this same Vic Firth has had a “side” occupation. His drumstick manufacturing business (www.vicfirth.com) has evolved into the leading percussion equipment company in the world.

Vic started making drumsticks because he was dissatisfied with the available equipment. He started by modifying drumsticks, then experimented in making his own. His products are now used and endorsed by classical, jazz, and rock musicians, and his company employs more than 100 people. Throughout his career, Vic has used a wide range of skills and talents, both as a musician and a successful businessperson.

Part of what makes people feel good in life is having the opportunity to develop and use skills to contribute to the greater good. Vic’s work as both a performer and entrepreneur has helped thousands of people connect to music.

Other BSO entrepreneurs:

Retired BSO flutist Fenwick Smith is on the faculty here at New England Conservatory and is an Eastman alumnus. Here is Fenwick writing about his many entrepreneurial projects (found on his website: http://www.fenwicksmith.com ):

“My long-time friend and colleague Leone Buyse and I founded the Greater Boston Flute Association in 1992 to promote interest in and appreciation of the flute. GBFA has since grown to a flourishing organization of 600, with an ambitious calendar of events offered free to all members. Events open to the general public include masterclasses, concerts, and GBFA’s annual Flute Fair, offering performances by prominent local and visiting flutists, masterclasses and workshops on a variety of flute-related topics, and exhibitions by our corporate members – including several of Boston’s world-class flutemakers.

Boston has long been a world center of flute making. I worked for 12 years for Verne Q. Powell Flutes, Inc., and play a Powell flute that I built. Although I gave up flute making when I joined the BSO, my interest in working with my hands later found a very different outlet: I designed a solar-tempered post-and-beam house which I built during the summer seasons in the woods of Richmond, six miles from Tanglewood. A book by George Ehrenhaft entitled The Builder’s Secret describes the experiences of ten individuals who built their own houses. The chapter about me and my house is called Adagio in recognition of my profession, but especially because the project, started in 1982, is not yet complete – although the house has been comfortably functional since 1988. (Owner-built houses are never finished!)

A more recent undertaking combined my knowledge of building and my experience as recording artist. In 1995 I purchased a commercial building in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston, which includes, on the top floor, the former Roslindale Masonic Temple. After four years of renovation, rewiring, soundproofing work, acoustical improvement, and the installation of silent, computer-controlled heating, air-conditioning, ventilating and humidification systems, I created a state-of-the-art recording facility. The Lodge Room has the size and acoustics of a fine recital hall, and retains its strikingly handsome original architecture. It is also the permanent home of a superb nine-foot American Steinway piano. Adjacent areas on the same floor serve as control room, editing room, office, kitchenette and lounge area. The facility, dubbed The Sonic Temple in recognition of its origins as a Masonic Temple, is operated by John Weston of Futura Productions. For further information please call 617 325-3275.”

And check these out:

Cellist Luis Leguia originated the Luis and Clark carbonfiber cello

See http://www.luisandclark.com/

Violinist Wendy Putnam created the Concord Chamber Music Society, Inc.
See http://www.concordchambermusic.org/about.html

Percussionist Frank Epstein founded Collage New Music.
See http://www.collagenewmusic.org

Violist Mark Ludwig established the Terezin Chamber Music Foundation:
See http://www.terezinmusic.org/