Interchanging Idioms

Greg Carpenter’s contract renewed as General Director DENVER, CO (May 20, 2015) Opera Colorado today announced the appointment of Ari Pelto as the first Music Director in its history and the extension of Greg Carpenter’s role as General Director through 2018. Pelto fills an important new role at the Company—partnering with Carpenter to further Opera Colorado’s mission, increase and diversify its programming and repertory, build the national scope of its Young Artists program, and further extend the Company’s reach through engagements in venues outside of the traditional opera house. Pelto will serve as Music Director designee beginning July 1, 2015 and take the helm as Music Director beginning July 1, 2016. “This is an exciting moment in the history of Opera Colorado,” said Greg Carpenter. “Our hard work over the past few years has provided us with the platform we need to take risks and find ways to reach a variety of audiences. As we look to the future, we need an artistic leader...

There is more to orchestras balancing their books than just selling more tickets It is hardly news anymore to hear of an orchestra struggling to balance their budget. Atlanta musicians are locked out for the 2nd time in two years over contract negotiations - the musicians have been asked to take yet another pay cut. The Philadelphia Orchestra declared bankruptcy a couple of years ago. Colorado Symphony has been operating with a deficit for years. These are not isolated examples. When ever the news reports the demise of an orchestra, there are a half dozen articles that pop up to discussing what changes need to be made in order for orchestras to be profitable again: - raise ticket prices to cover costs - lower ticket prices to get more people into the concert hall - program new music - program old music - attract a younger audience - better leverage the existing audience (particularly the donor base) The list goes on and on, yet the real problem is: based on the  typ...

Long-Time Arts Administrator Previously Served as Executive Director of San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum and Education Director of Pasadena Kidspace Children’s Museum Roy Mueller, a highly regarded non-profit arts administrator with deep roots in Southern California, has been appointed Executive Director of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) following a nationwide search, it was announced by LACC Board Chair Joanne Crawford-Dunér. Mueller, who is also an accomplished musician, previously served as Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum, where he led the museum through a successful four-year $5.2 million capital campaign to design and build a new facility. Prior to that he was Education Director of Pasadena Kidspace Children’s Museum, where he developed innovative art and science education programs for a diverse community audience. “I am pleased to welcome Roy to the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus,” says Crawford-Dunér. “His exceptional non-profit arts le...

There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes trying to get this ensemble off the ground. Correspondence Probably the most surprising aspect of working with TwtrSymphony is the amount of time I spend corresponding with people. Beyond just the tweets – which have moments of being fast and furious (and I've not been nearly active enough over the last three months) – I get emails from the musicians in the group, musicians wanting to join the group, people interested in knowing more about us and people wanting to sell us some service. There are details that have to be maintained when we get new musicians, like email addresses, instruments they play, biographies. Fortunately, We have a couple of volunteers who help with this administrative work. Still, it is a lot of work keeping it all organized. Paperwork Add to this our ambitions of setting TwtrSymphony up as a non-profit organization (like most other orchestras in the United States), and there is a host of pa...

With the genesis of a project there are always numerous people excited by the new idea and wanting to participate. As projects stabilize, some of the initial enthusiasm is lost resulting in natural growing pains and attrition. TwtrSymphony, like all new projects is a bit of a moving target as we negotiate the stabilization process. Trying to compose a symphony for an orchestra in the throes of genesis has been challenging! TwtrSymphony is a living organism, growing, changing and maturing, made up of musicians who have their own very busy lives. Often the most talented musicians are also those most in demand. So, when musicians already playing in established orchestras, or with solo careers in their own right, inquire about playing with TwtrSymphony, we're over-joyed at the prospect. However, we must also be realistic. TwtrSymphony, by nature of Remote Session recording and tight deadlines, is not for everyone. As we negotiated the audition process, it became apparent we were go...

The Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees has announced the election of three new members to the board: Mr. B.J. Dyer, Dr. Christopher Ott, and Ms. Ginger White. They join two other recently-elected members Ms. Sandy Elliott, community volunteer, and Mr. Richard Kylberg, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Arrow Electronics. Ms. Linda Rickard also joins the board representing the Colorado Symphony Guild. “We are thrilled to have Mr. Dyer, Ms. White, Dr. Ott, Ms. Elliott, Ms. Rickard and Mr. Kylberg join our organization,” said Mr. Gene Sobczak, President and CEO of the Colorado Symphony. “Their diverse areas of expertise and fresh business strategies – combined with their enthusiasm and passion for the performing arts community in Denver – will help guide the Colorado Symphony’s cultural and financial success as we launch innovative collaborations and strengthen our community ties.” “The Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees is actively involved in building and growing the...

Numerous orchestras in the US are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Why? There are a plethora of theories as to why orchestras are going bankrupt:     Classical Music is dying     CEO's and VP's are paid too much     Musicians are paid too much     Ticket Prices are too high     People aren't giving as much as they used to     The Economy I would like to tackle each of these theories with an eye towards solving the problem. Classical Music is dying If you look at the big names in the music download industry, Sony and Universal, they both show huge profits in classical music downloads. A large portion of their bottom line is made up of people paying for and downloading classical music. If classical music was actually dying, we wouldn't see a growth in classical music downloads. CEO's and VP's are paid too much While I'm all for more balanced wages a...

Argie Tang, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, announced today that James W. Palermo has been appointed as the next executive director of the Vail Music Festival. He succeeds John Giovando, who has held the Festival’s chief executive post since its inception in 1987. James Palermo assumes the position of executive director designate of the Vail Music Festival and will work closely with Giovando in a transitional period through the Festival’s 25th anniversary season this summer in Vail. Palermo begins his tenure as executive director on September 1, 2012. “I thank the search committee and the board of trustees for the opportunity to serve the Vail Music Festival as executive director,” said Palermo. “I look forward to building on the vision and achievements of John Giovando, artistic director Anne-Marie McDermott, and the board, and to move the Festival to the next phase in its service to the community. I have worked my entire career in cla...

Six New Members elected to Board of Trustees The Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees announced today that it has appointed Gene Sobczak as its new President & CEO. In addition, six new trustees have been elected to the board. Gene Sobczak currently serves as Executive Director of the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and has held the position since 2007. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President for the Colorado Symphony from 2002-2007. While at the Arvada Center, Sobczak has increased market recognition, centralized business operations, and developed successful programming, sales and marketing strategies. At the Colorado Symphony, he was instrumental in building and growing online ticket sales, plus generated an overall 47% increase in ticket sales. Sobczak serves on the Arts for Colorado Board of Trustees and the Colorado Task Force for Arts Education in Workforce Development, among other board positions. “I am honored to have been asked by the musicians and ...

Goldman’s decade of accomplishments includes Centennial season celebration, completion of Second Century campaign, Keeping Score multimedia project, 10-year Gustav Mahler recording project and expansion of education programs ohn D. Goldman, President of the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) since 2001, has announced he will step down in October 2012, completing eleven years of distinguished accomplishments central to raising the artistic profile, expanding education programs, and strengthening the use of media and technology at the 100-year-old arts institution. Sakurako Fisher has been named President-Elect and will be officially elected to the office of President at the Board of Governors’ Annual Meeting on October 27, 2012. Upon the end of his term, John Goldman will remain a member of the SFS Board of Governors. John D. Goldman’s many accomplishments in 10 years to date as Board President include the launch and completion of the Symphony’s Second Century campaign to support the Orche...

After additional negotiation this week with the Colorado Symphony Association (CSA), the musicians of the Colorado Symphony issued a vote to accept changes to the current contract. The changes constitute a total reduction in pay of $530,000. The contract concessions were requested to assist with balancing the FY12 operating budget. Prior to receiving this positive vote from the players, several resignations from the Board of Trustees were received and several were tendered at the meeting for a total of 20 resignations. An overall sentiment of appreciation and love for the orchestra was shared by all of those who issued resignation, and several specifically encouraged the organization to “be bold, be brave, and be different.” The CSA extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the departing Board members for their dedication, commitment and generosity on behalf of the entire organization. While approval of the FY12 budget is pending a more complete understanding of cash flow, the...

The Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival announced today that its executive director John Giovando, 67, will retire in October 2012, after the Festival concludes its 25th season. Giovando has served in that position since the Festival’s inception in 1987. "It’s time for me to announce this retirement and bid farewell at the close of our 25th season in 2012,” said Giovando. “I look at what this Festival has achieved in the last 24 years and smile at its success. I thank everyone who has supported Bravo over the years—every ticket buyer, board member, sponsor and volunteer—you have all made the Festival a world-class event in the world-class community of the Vail Valley. Music has been a passion and dream of mine and in creating this Festival I have had the privilege of living both.” The notice gives the board plenty of time to find a successor, and when Giovando steps down artistic director and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott will have completed two seasons and will be working on her ...

Martha Bonta, a classical music administrator with wide-ranging experience in classical music programming and management, has been named Executive Producer, Live Events and Special Programming, announced WQXR Vice President Graham Parker today. In this role, Bonta will be responsible for shaping WQXR’s extensive live broadcasts, including the groundbreaking series ‘Carnegie Hall Live,’ season-long partnerships with the New York Philharmonic, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and Met Opera, as well as distinctive relationships with the Frick Collection, Le Poisson Rouge and Merkin Concert Hall. In The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space – WQXR's innovative multiplatform live event venue – Bonta will envision a diverse range of live events, festivals and artist residencies with emerging and popular classical artists. In collaboration with the Executive Producer of The Greene Space, Bonta will execute community programming that immerses the live studio audience, as well as an online audi...

Start from the top if you want to get something done The actual letter is toward the bottom I posted an article the other day that pi**ed a fair number of musicians off. It seems many of them felt I was saying they were lazy for not getting involved in the social media revolution. My sincere apologies... I didn't mean to suggest anyone was lazy. Worse thing about the whole affair is I may have shot myself in the foot (although this wouldn't be the first time). You see, I'm a composer , not a composer/performer; I need musicians in order to get my music played. Since I write primarily orchestral music, I need a lot of musicians, a whole orchestra full of them! Pi**ing them off isn't a great way to get my music played. All the furor over my comments got me to thinking. The problem isn't about having passion - I KNOW musicians have passion - it takes far too much effort to be involved in the modern classical world - you would never do it if you were not...

Dr Nick Vasallo has joined interchanging idioms! (loud applause) Born and raised in the Bay Area, Nick Vasallo began music in high school where he picked up the electric guitar and eventually formed Antagony, an influential extreme metal band in the underground. At the ripe age of 23, Vasallo decided to begin formal music training at Cal State East Bay where he obtained his Bachelor degree in 2007. As a Chancellor's Fellow at University of California Santa Cruz, Vasallo completed his Masters in 2009 and subsequently went on to finish his Doctorate in 2011 as a President's Fellow. His music reveals an eclectic array of influences: Metal, Ambient, Taiko, Gamelan, Noise and has been internationally performed by world renowned groups such as Contemporary Music Ensemble Korea, Del Sol String Quartet, San Francisco Choral Artists, Atlanta Schola Cantorum, and Watsonville Taiko just to name a few. In 2010, Vasallo was the recipient of the President's Dissertation-Year Fello...

The Van Cliburn Sixth International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs completed May 29 and, four days later, the president and CEO of the Cliburn Foundation, David Chambless Worters, announced his resignation. The move took staff and recent jury members by total surprise, for he had been in the job just six months.The fit apparently was not a good one-not his "passion," as he told one reporter. "It is time for my personal journey to take me in a new direction," he said in a statement. Worters succeeded Richard Rodzinski just last December, following an international search. Rodzinski had been in the job 23 years.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces two new appointments to its board of directors: Barbara Bozzuto, former president of Bozzuto Marketing and William Wagner, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Vocus. Ms. Bozzuto and Mr. Wagner bring to the board diverse areas of experience and fresh business strategies that will contribute to the BSO’s cultural and financial successes as one of Maryland’s leading arts organizations. About Barbara Bozzuto Barbara Bozzuto has been active as an executive and community leader within the Greater Baltimore region for 30 years. Among her many philanthropic activities, she is currently chair of the board of St. Agnes Hospital, sits on the Maryland committee for the 9/11 Memorial and was formerly the chair of the board of WYPR Radio. For ten years until 2000, Ms. Bozzuto was President of Bozzuto Marketing, a special events, sponsorship, and sports marketing company. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director for th...

The news that Detroit Symphony Orchestra President Anne Parsons has renewed her contract for the next three years has evoked mixed reactions. While she apparently has the confidence of the board and of key funders, the musicians, on the heels of a six-month strike, are not all pleased. Many blame her for the orchestra's poor financial state and see her as the cause of having their pay reduced by 23 percent and their contract shorted from 52 weeks to 40. Orchestra committee chair bassist Linton Bodwin tells the Detroit Free Press that the news is "disappointing and puzzling. "What has happened over the last five years, including the strike, would indicate the need to have a change at the top of the orchestra for no other reason than a clean start." Parsons, 53, started at the DSO in 2004. The orchestra is carrying a $54-million debt on its refurbished home and has lost six members since the strike, including the concertmaster.

Grammy Award-winning sextet eighth blackbird – the ultimate ambassador for new music – announces an important change to its line-up, bidding a reluctant farewell to founding member, violinist, violist, and arranger Matt Albert, and a warm welcome to new member Yvonne Lam. Lam, who currently serves as Assistant Concertmaster of the Washington National Opera Orchestra, is an exceptionally talented musician who studied both piano and violin at the Colburn School before going on to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Curtis and Juilliard respectively. Her first performance with eighth blackbird as its new violinist will be in the ensemble’s home town, playing at Chicago Counterpoint, a festival of Steve Reich works in Millennium Park on August 22. This concert, presented with Chicago's Third Coast Percussion, will include an all-live performance of Reich's Pulitzer Prize-winning Double Sextet with both Lam and Albert on the violin. One of eighth blackbird’s founding mem...

At a meeting of the BSO Board of Directors on Wednesday June 1, 2011, Kenneth W. DeFontes, Jr. was elected the Orchestra’s new board chair-elect, to succeed Michael G. Bronfein as chair for a two-year term effective Sept. 21, 2011. DeFontes, who has served as an active member of the BSO board for the past six years, is President and CEO of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) and a Senior Vice President with Constellation Energy. During his tenure as a BSO board member, DeFontes has served as a member of the finance committee and chair of the governance committee, the subset of board members responsible for nominating and recruiting future BSO leadership.