Someone else discovers gender discrimination in orchestras
November 20, 2014Long-time readers of this blog might remember an article I wrote in 2009 on the subject of discrimination in orchestras. I thought at the time that my survey of the rosters of ICSCOM orchestras demonstrated a marked differential between the number of men and women, especially in principal positions. Someone else has done much the […]
Is tenure good for musicians?
November 18, 2014An interest in the law inclines me to surf amongst the legal waves on the Internet, leading to the occasional odd discovery relevant to my day job. This post from the blog Lawyers, Guns and Money caught my eye: Recently Kyle Graham, a professor on the tenure track at Santa Clara Law School, announced on […]
Armistice Day
November 12, 2014Yesterday was Veterans Day in the United States. But, in Great Britain, Canada, most of the Commonwealth countries, and several European nations, it’s known by an older name – Armistice Day. And originally it commemorated the end of World War I at 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918. Veterans Day is taken seriously in the […]
Playing for Alzheimer's Patients
November 6, 2014I’m playing in the “Symphony in the Schools” program this year with the Hartford Symphony, and we recently had several professional days where each of the seven ensembles performed for the others. We also spent some time talking about the program with our new Education Director; we play in senior centers and assisted living facilities, […]
Alice Brandfonbrener's Memorial Service
November 3, 2014Laura Ross, Secretary of ICSOM, sent the following notice: Dr. Alice Brandfonbrener, a pioneer in the field of music medicine, died in May. I have just received notice of the location and time of her memorial program and hope that those of you who knew her, and those who were the beneficiaries of her care […]
How to Be Successful Using Great Communication Skills
October 21, 2014Storytelling is an essential part of every culture. People are always eager to hear or relate a story whether from a book, a film, a play, a remembrance from childhood or a recent vacation.
Looking for Perfection in an Imperfect Process
October 20, 2014We recognize that the use of beta-blockers by musicians is a serious and controversial topic. Nonetheless, we feel it is better to discuss it than to pretend that it doesn’t exist. We neither condone or condemn the use of beta-blockers, but wish to have an objective discussion about its use. Feel free to join the […]
Technology and the Orchestra
October 16, 2014Symphony magazine featured an interesting article about how digital technologies are impacting orchestras. Written by Andy Doe, a media and technology consultant who writes about music at his blog, properdiscord.com, “The Digital Orchestra” takes us from 1994, when the New Zealand Symphony’s principal bassist Dale Gold put up a simple website, to our world of ever-increasing mobile […]
Tinnitus: When There’s Humming in Your Head and It Won’t Go Away
October 8, 2014Here’s an interesting article from the International Musician, the monthly official journal of the American Federation of Musicians, (A.K.A. the union). We’re in a profession that subjects us to loud noises and one of the consequences is the possibility of developing Tinnitus. I happen to have it. For me there is a hissing sound, (I […]
It's A Pitch
October 6, 2014This post first appeared in Symposium, the journal of the College Music Society. It is reprinted here with permission. I’ve had two careers in my lifetime: as a symphony orchestra clarinetist and as a technology executive. One of the advantages these dual careers have given me has been the ability to apply my business experiences […]