Daddy, what’s an 8(d) notice?
Posted on August 29, 2010 at 11:58 pm by Robert Levine
in Labor relations
Tags: Detroit, Negotiations
The short answer is that it’s something that’s about to bite the Detroit Symphony management very hard. The long answer follows after the jump. (more…)
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Bloggers On Vacation
Let the Music Do the Talking
Posted on August 3, 2010 at 12:25 pm by Guest Blogger
in General, The Future
Tags: consumer relationships, Innovation, internet marketing, music media
By Ashley Garofalo
I recently encountered an article by Andrew Dubber of Birmingham City University addressing a fundamental approach to marketing music in today’s industry. He calls it, “Hear/Like/Buy.”
It’s the way of the world for music media consumption these days. Those in the market to buy are seeking music which they can add to their existing collection: an individually-constructed display of organization, style, and character. As an emerging artist, it is daunting to think of promoting my music in this very individualistic market. What will cause consumers to invest in my work? Dubber advises, “Have people hear it… for free.” It seems slightly radical. The goal is to create a system of economic support for music and musicians and the advice is to give it away for free? How is that good for business? (more…)
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Opening Up The Flood Gates
Posted on July 30, 2010 at 8:40 am by Steve Danyew
in General, The Future, Videos
Tags: critics, reviews, Saint-Saëns, YouTube
This week I wrote a transcription of Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan” for tenor saxophone and piano. After finishing the piece, I turned to YouTube to listen to various interpretations of the work. I listened to a few cello & piano versions and then moved on to a couple of solo piano recordings, including one of Rachmaninoff himself tickling the old ivories!
I stumbled upon another solo piano recording, this one performed by Italian pianist Marco Falossi. He performs the Godowsky solo piano arrangement of the Saint- Saëns, and originally I didn’t pay much attention to it after realizing that it wasn’t the original version, from which I was working. I minimized the browser to work on something else and returned to it later, intending to listen to a couple more performances. For some reason I wandered down the page and encountered the comments posted in response to Falossi’s video – only 5 comments, but boy do they pack a punch. (more…)
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Polyphonic On Campus: Coming This Fall
The Richardson Symphony and Buddy Rich–What’s the Connection
Posted on July 27, 2010 at 12:26 pm by Ramon Ricker
in General
Tags: compensation, Negotiations, unions
Some of you may be following the plight of the Richardson (Texas) Symphony Orchestra and its musicians. They’re embroiled in a bitter dispute that has led to the RSO being placed on the International Unfair List of the American Federation of Musicians. What this means is that as long as the orchestra is on the unfair list, AFM musicians cannot play with the orchestra, and if they do they are subject to expulsion from the union and fines up to $50,000. The action by the musicians union caused the RSO to file a counter charge with the National Labor Relations Board. It’s a showdown, and when these things happen both sides lose. The musician’s side of the story can be found here. I couldn’t find a document outlining the RSO’s side of the story. (more…)
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Polyphonic On Campus: Coming This Fall
Brahms and Ravel on the Vuvuzela
Posted on July 14, 2010 at 10:32 pm by Ann Drinan
in General
Ralph Locke, a musicology professor at Eastman, sent Polyphonic a link to a pretty amusing video:
No commentsI think you’ll enjoy this. The narration, gestures, etc., are all perfect — a kind of tongue-in-cheek critique of typical classical-music presentations.
Jobs Don’t Grow On Trees
Posted on July 9, 2010 at 11:29 am by Steve Danyew
in General, On Campus
Tags: Auditions, music, orchestras, student
In a recent article in the New York Times, Daniel J. Wakin points to the seemingly large number of orchestral positions that are currently open at some of the nation’s top orchestras.
Of course we could debate all day about whether or not 12 openings in the NY Phil is remarkable, if they will be filled, who should fill them, etc. Young people’s eyes are already glazing over with excitement, picturing themselves walking out on stage rubbing elbows with other NY Phil players. But judging by Wakin’s description of the overwhelming audition process, do they really have a shot? I mean, a guy does a great job in a temporary position for years, is the only eventual finalist, and doesn’t get hired? Obviously there are many forces at play here, and we could debate these decisions forever. (more…)
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League Conference: Diversity Panel
Posted on July 9, 2010 at 7:00 am by Ann Drinan
in General
Tags: diversity
Friday morning again had multiple sessions, each presented twice.
The Diversity panel, moderated by Beth Wilson, Director of Student Musician Development at the Atlanta Symphony, showcased the ASO’s Talent Development Program (TDP), a program for talented young African-American and Latino classical musicians in the greater Atlanta community.
The panel included Edie Bostic, TDP Trustee and Vice Chair for Academic and Student Affairs; Joseph Conyers, ASO bassist and new Assistant Principal in Philadelphia, and Director of Project 440 ; Stanford Thompson, 2005 TDP alum (trumpet) and an Abreu Fellow now working with Tune Up Philadelphia; and Drew Alexander Forde, violist and a 2010 TDP grad, entering McDuffy Center for Strings in the fall.
Beth Wilson: TDB is a talent-based, not needs-based program. We seek out the most talented African-American and Latino students in Atlanta, and help them get through the pipeline to a career in classical music. TDP began as a volunteer initiative – most of the teachers are ASO musicians.
Why is diversity on the professional/amateur orchestra stage important?
Joe Conyers: I grew up in Savannah and was involved in a program similar to TDP. I was accused of “abandoning my roots” to play “white” music.” To be relevant to our communities, we should look like the communities we serve. I remember meeting a young bassist who wasn’t much interested in classical music because he had never seen anyone who looked like him playing it.
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