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Outsourcing Orchestra Administration: The Columbus Symphony Turns Crisis into Opportunity When Roland Valliere, NEC Class of 1978 percussion performance, took over the Columbus Symphony in August 2009, the orchestra was on the brink of collapse. There had been a bitter work … Continue reading →

This panel discussion was hosted by New York City’s classical radio station WQXR on April 18, 2011, following the announcement that the Philadelphia Orchestra was declaring bankruptcy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Panelists include:
Anne Parsons, Presi…

Last week, the Kentucky Opera seemed very interested in having an orchestra in the pit for its upcoming production of Carmen: The opera’s general director, David Roth, said opera administration is talking with the local branch of the musicians union, American Federation of Musicians Local 11-637, so that it can contract its members to perform […]

It’s not surprising, in the wake of the Louisville Orchestra management’s cancellation of most orchestral activities scheduled for September and October, that the Kentucky Opera, which uses the Louisville Orchestra, would be looking for musicians to replace LO musicians. Their choice of partner, on the other hand, is straight from the Twilight Zone: The opera’s […]

…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 […]

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 […]

The Armory in NYC (on Park and 66th) was new to me.  It’s an imposing if ugly building with unimaginative use of brickwork and little sense of outward style… it’s an Armory.  Inside it’s huge and cavernous with dark wood … Continue reading →

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 […]

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 […]

[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 →