Category - Uncategorized

1
Louisville CEO surprised that AFM will support picket line
2
Louisville management arms Tsar Bomba
3
League Conference: George Cohen on Negotiating
4
2011 League Conference: Peter Pastreich on Orchestra Management
5
Guest Bloggers: Quartetutopia by Nicholas Kitchen
6
League Conference: New American Music Innovation Panel
7
League Conference: Plenary Session Speeches, Part 2
8
Guest Bloggers: A conversation with Dr. Tom Wolf
9
League Conference: Plenary Session Speeches, Part 1
10
Guest Bloggers: Colin Thurmond and Rich Chwastiak

Louisville CEO surprised that AFM will support picket line

…or so yesterday’s article in the Louisville Courier-Journal would suggest: The Louisville Orchestra has cancelled its September and October concerts because of the ongoing contract dispute with musicians, particularly their New York-based union’s threat to fine those who show up for work. “While we believe that local musicians wish to perform, the musicians’ bargaining unit[…]

Read More

Louisville management arms Tsar Bomba

The largest man-made explosion in history occurred on October 31, 1961, when a Soviet bomber dropped a thermonuclear device yielding 50 or so megatons on the Mitysushika Bay testing range in the Soviet Artic. The device, known as Tsar Bomba, was actually capable of twice that power. The fireball and blast wave could be seen[…]

Read More

League Conference: George Cohen on Negotiating

George H. Cohen, formerly AFM counsel, is now the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), which was founded in 1947. He gave this presentation to a large roomful of managers, with about 10 musicians present. It was a pleasure to hear his biting wit take on a serious issue. George came out[…]

Read More

2011 League Conference: Peter Pastreich on Orchestra Management

Peter Pastreich, former Executive Director of the San Francisco and St. Louis Symphonies and currently Executive Director of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Peter is a well-known management consultant in the orchestra field. Peter is often asked to consult by musicians, and likes to help musicians to think about these issues. I published an article based on[…]

Read More

Guest Bloggers: Quartetutopia by Nicholas Kitchen

[Nick Kitchen is the founding first violinist of the Borromeo Quartet, ensemble in residence at NEC. In addition to receiving the Artist Diploma from NEC, the quartet has gone on to win the 2007 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Lincoln Center’s … Continue reading

Read More

League Conference: New American Music Innovation Panel

Panel members: Patrick Castillo, Director of Artistic Planning, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; Delta David Gier, Music Director, South Dakota Symphony; Paul Gunther, Principal Librarian, Minnesota Orchestra; and Aaron Kernis, composer. Aaron Kernis spoke first – he is the founder and leader of the Composers Institute in Minneapolis. A bit of history: he was part of[…]

Read More

League Conference: Plenary Session Speeches, Part 2

Deborah Borda, President and CEO, Los Angeles Philharmonic, was the third speaker at the June 7th plenary session. She presented an interesting view of technology and innovation in her remarks titled “Toto, We’re Not in Leipzig Anymore.” First she explored the importance of innovation and being able to identify which innovations are important. In 1879,[…]

Read More

Guest Bloggers: A conversation with Dr. Tom Wolf

“Many financial approaches have been tried over the past 50 years to improve the financial condition of orchestras. Yet, the industry as a whole appears to be in the worst shape it has ever been in…If orchestras are to assume … Continue reading

Read More

League Conference: Plenary Session Speeches, Part 1

The opening Plenary Session on June 7 presented three speakers discussing “Creating an Environment for Innovation.” Larry A. Wendling,  Ph.D., VP of the Corporate Research Laboratory at the 3M Center in Minneapolis opened the session with a historical video of the evolution of 3M from a failed mining company to a highly successful, large multi-national[…]

Read More

Guest Bloggers: Colin Thurmond and Rich Chwastiak

AcousticaElectronica AcousticaElectronica. Quite a mouthful to say, but then again – quite an idea. The concept of the show was simple. Blend the virtuosity found in the classical concert hall with the energy of the late-night dance club.   The show … Continue reading

Read More