Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:51 pm by Robert Levine
in General |

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 the music for performances of “Carmen” on Sept. 23 and 25.

“We must have a live orchestra and live performances at all levels, and that includes an orchestra in the pit,” Roth said.

Roth said that the opera hopes to have musicians contracted by Sept. 1 so that they can begin rehearsals by Sept. 13.

For nearly three decades, the Louisville Orchestra has played the instrumental music for the Kentucky Opera.

This week… not so much:

(more…)

1 comment

Posted on August 29, 2011 at 6:00 am by David Cutler
in Portfolio career, career, careers for musicians |

Portfolio career is the term used to describe a professional path involving multiple streams of income. This profile is commonly adopted by artists of all stripes. I, for one, have developed a portfolio career, and wouldn’t have it any other way.             Advantages of a portfolio career include: The opportunity to control your own activities and schedule A flexible [...] No comments

Posted on August 26, 2011 at 12:21 am by Robert Levine
in General |

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 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 the music for performances of “Carmen” on Sept. 23 and 25.

“We must have a live orchestra and live performances at all levels, and that includes an orchestra in the pit,” Roth said.

Roth said that the opera hopes to have musicians contracted by Sept. 1 so that they can begin rehearsals by Sept. 13.

For nearly three decades, the Louisville Orchestra has played the instrumental music for the Kentucky Opera. (more…)

1 comment

Posted on August 25, 2011 at 12:11 am by Robert Levine
in General |

…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 and their union are forbidding their own members from showing up for work,” orchestra CEO Robert Birman said in a statement. “What this means is that a resolution to our labor impasse is not imminent.” (more…)

1 comment

Posted on August 23, 2011 at 5:15 pm by Robert Levine
in General |

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 and felt 600 miles from Ground Zero.

The management of the Louisville Orchestra seem to think that the orchestral equivalent of Tsar Bomba is now the way to settle the long-running labor dispute in Louisville. (more…)

4 comments

Posted on August 23, 2011 at 11:34 am by Tony Woodcock
in Armory, Hamlet, Henry V, Julius Caesar, King Lear, New YOrk, RSC, Royal Shakespeare Company, Uncategorized, William Shakespeare, all the world's a stage, as you like it, performance, theater |

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 paneling and creaky floors.

Inside the Armory

Then there is the Drill Hall which is enormous.  You could easily fit a regiment in there and still have room for an audience. (more...) No comments

Posted on August 22, 2011 at 3:04 pm by Steve Danyew
in Education, On Campus, students |

If you had a chance to follow our team of On Campus video bloggers (vloggers for short) this past year, you know how interesting their stories have been.  12 young musicians throughout the country recorded a short video entry every two weeks for an entire year, chronicling their life and career as a young musician.  Many of the vloggers recorded videos during their breaks at rehearsals, outside a concert hall, in the orchestra pit, in the recording studio, and more! They described the triumphs and struggles of being a early-career musician, and in the process, provided insight for their peers. It is fascinating to watch the many diverse paths that these individuals are pursuing within music.  We offer this first-ever group of Polyphonic On Campus video bloggers our sincere thanks for sharing their stories and lives with us; they will undoubtedly provide inspiration and education for many others.

Today, a new team of 11 vloggers from around the country begin their year of video blogs.  This year’s group is just as dynamic, diverse, and energetic as last year’s team, and I’m greatly looking forward to watching each one of their stories unfold.  All 11 vloggers have posted an introductory video about who they are, where they are, and how they got there.  It is truly fascinating stuff – see for yourself here.

No comments

Posted on August 22, 2011 at 8:31 am by David Cutler
in Education, TSM Challenge, back to school |

Here we are again, at the beginning of a new school year full of promise. Within a matter of weeks or days, urgent deadlines will start to emerge with ever increasing frequency. So before that inevitable, relentless chaos takes over life, I challenge you to answer a question. No comments

Posted on August 17, 2011 at 10:13 am by Ramon Ricker
in Getting Ahead, copyright, web |

If you’re an older person with copyrighted material you probably have a different view about protecting and publishing your creative work than a younger person. Here’s an interesting blog from Andrew Taylor in Arts Journal that was posted on 6/7/11. It seems that times could be a changin’. (more...) No comments

Posted on August 7, 2011 at 1:01 pm by Ramon Ricker
in Being a Professional, Musicans as Brands, professional |

This is always a difficult question to answer and it varies from person to person.  It stands to reason that if you do one thing and take it to the max, your chances of being superior to the person who does two or more things is enhanced. (more...) No comments