Issue: October 2015
Many years ago during a very trying time in our orchestra’s history, our attorney Phil Sipser advised us to take a much more active role in interfacing with our audiences. In those days the only time the public ever heard from the musicians, except for our music, was during difficult contract negotiations. Mr. Sipser told us that going to the audience only during the hard times was disingenuous. … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
Brian Rood Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board and adopted by unanimous consent Whereas, Brian Rood has held a long and significant leadership role in his orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony and was instrumental in achieving union recognition, the Kansas City Symphony’s first collective bargaining agreement, and in the orchestra’s membership in ICSOM; and Whereas, His activities were … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
New Leadership in Cleveland and Atlanta The Cleveland Orchestra announced that its next Executive Director would be André Gremillet. He will succeed Gary Hansen, who will be retiring with more than 27 years service to the orchestra, including almost 12 years as Executive Director. Gremillet, who is a Quebec native and a conservatory-trained pianist, has previously served as President and CEO of … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
"I never thought I’d have to wear earplugs because of noise from the audience...” said San Diego Symphony violinist John Stubbs. But plug our ears we did for the surprise pop-up Star Wars Fan Appreciation Concert that took place last July. Every summer, thousands of self-proclaimed nerds descend on “America’s Finest City” for the world’s largest Comic-Con, a four day event celebrating everything … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
Although I’ve heard the term countless times, it took many years of playing professionally before I understood what “Giving the Gift of Music” truly means. As a member of the Dallas Symphony for over 15 years, I have never been as proud of my orchestra as I was on Sunday, June 14. That afternoon my wonderful colleagues, led by maestro Gerhardt Zimmerman, gave an inspiring concert to benefit Dallas … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
The Boston Symphony Orchestra returned September 6th from its 18-day tour of European summer music festivals, the first tour with its new Music Director, Andris Nelsons. The Barber/Strauss/and...Tour (say it fast), included the cities of London, Salzburg, Vienna, Lucerne, Milan, Paris, Cologne, and Berlin. Repertoire included Barber’s 2nd Essay, two Strauss tone poems (Don Quixote and Ein … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
Each season, ICSOM maintains a list of positive news articles and studies that demonstrate the resiliency of our orchestras, and the sustainability of artistic organizations. This information can be used to demonstrate that success is occurring for many orchestras, and that success is achievable for organizations that are portrayed as being in a troubled position. The latest Giving USA study, … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
I may not remember the jokes, but I do remember their key element: an ethnic slur about Polish Americans. The jokes themselves aren’t very interesting, but in 1970s Wisconsin they were what passed for humor in the pre-teen set. The slur was easily bandied about to denigrate a minority community (although at the time I didn’t know what the word actually meant). But I’m fairly certain that at least … [Read more...]
Issue: July 2015
Only a few weeks after President Obama announced that relations between Cuba and the USA would be normalized, the Minnesota Orchestra began working on the prospect of a tour. With the help of many parties—and in particular the Orchestra’s artistic staff, along with the experience of the Orchestra’s touring company, Classical Movements, in traveling to Cuba—the tour became a reality just five … [Read more...]
Issue: July 2015
Preparing a generation of civic-minded, socially conscious musicians to be leaders both on and off the stage There is no combination of words that aptly describes my love of music. I love music so much, in fact, that I earnestly believe all children should have access to music in their lives–not just because of its beauty, but because of its ability to transform lives, to save lives. As a … [Read more...]
