Some musicians feel that they must dumb-down their music in order to be “successful.” I once had a conversation with Maria Schneider in which she made an interesting observation: many musicians who are focused solely on making money underestimate their audiences. She commented that some musicians seem to think that Read more…
A couple of years ago in talking with Maria Schneider, a Grammy winning composer, I discovered that she had an interesting take on the stereotypical starving artist. She theorizes that part of the reason record companies are able to make huge profits while the artists often make so little is Read more…
I subscribe to various list-servs, and one of them is orchestra-l. It’s for musicians who are members of ICSOM orchestras (International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians). Lately there has been a lot of back and forth about musicians using electronic devices in rehearsals when they aren’t playing. Here is a sample.
“Bonjour! — I would like to know how orchestras are dealing with the use of i-phones, i-pads, i-pods, reading-pads on stage during rehearsals?? We use to have magazines or newspapers but now, the electronic is the new reality. In Montréal, the management came with ‘zéro tolérance’ for any use of electronics on stage? What is the situations in your orchestras?” (more…)
When I was younger I’m sure I didn’t think “Big Picture” as much as I do now, but today with countless projects under my belt, I’m always thinking big. I suppose it was also a function of my job at the Eastman School. As a senior administrator and Director of Read more…
If you have read my book, Lessons From a Street-Wise Professor, think back to Chapter 10: “Six Non-Linear Career Journeys.” These are stories of very successful entrepreneurial musicians. I chose to include them because they represent five different areas of the music business, but I had a secondary reason as Read more…
At the end of this blog is a letter to the editor that was published in the December 13 Louisville Courier-Journal. In it the writer laments the absence of an orchestra at this year’s Nutcracker performance. The tone of her letter is typical of what I had read in the Read more…
Office in HomeIn our homes or apartments, musicians all have a room in which they practice or teach, but for that room to be considered a home office and deducted on our taxes, it must meet certain requirements established by the IRS. For example, that part of your home must Read more…
Think about it. It’s only human nature to recommend a friend for a job. Putting aside the fact that if you recommend him or her, he or she may reciprocate one day, it just feels good to help out a friend, provided they are a good fit for the job. Read more…
A couple of years ago I received an email signed by a dozen or so Eastman students. It was sent to Eastman School jazz students and faculty. This group had met out of frustration. It seems that within the student jazz community at Eastman, there hadn’t been much discussion or Read more…