Good Morning,
As we slide into the summer, thought it was time to once again put pen to paper, as it were, and tell you what the noises in my head are saying.
I have been reading voraciously, (now that I have gotten over my Angry Birds obsession) mostly while making the daily trek into New York City from Casa de Berko in beautiful Balmville, NY.
Everything from Tina Fey's book, BossyPants (loved it but why the continual references to "poop"?), Dick Cavett's book, "Talk Show:Confrontations" which has some great things in it but gets name droppy in the way that Cavett always does (did). Judi Dench's Autobiography, Patti Lupones', Keith Richards', Marlo Thomas' book about growing up funny, Don Felder's tales of the Eagles and many more. I seem to read these things very quickly and love that I'm on page 4537 of 5569. At any rate, as you can tell, the reading I'm doing is mostly light celeb bios and they're fun. Just finished Barbara Sinatra's "Lady Blue Eyes", an account of her life before, during and after FAS> From what little I know, I think there should have been a better editor regarding simple facts, (The House I Live In was recorded in the 60's by Frank? New York, New York was a musical play that finally closed?) Anyway, I shoulda knowed better on that one. Uh oh, just got an update to my Angry Birds Rio, so maybe the reading will cease for the moment.
As I'm writing this, the American Symphony Orchestra League Conference is in full swing in Minneapolis. Executive Directors, Conductors, Staff and Board members all attend to hear what's happening in the World of Symphony Orchestras and how to fix the problems. I hope it's more than just blaming the Unions. The unions aren't the reason that people are not attending concerts as they used to. There are many reasons, but one that never gets mentioned is that there used to be what I will call, a European Tradition in this country of attending concerts, ballets, art museums and supporting cultural events. That Tradition, which came from our Familys, often just over on the boat or first generation US Citizens, was responsible in a very large part for the success and growth of all kinds of cultural institutions in our country. As that generation goes away and the cultural makeup of the US changes, we will never have that support again.
So, how do we remain relevant in our communities? How to we market music that has stood the test of time plus introduce new music and ideas to our audiences?
I haven't the answer, unfortunately. If I did, I would be a billionaire, sitting on my yacht, docked in Monte Carlo, lunching at the Hotel D'Paris.
I think we have to figure out how to become an indispensable part of our towns and become relevant to our constituents. I know we have to market concerts in new ways in order to reach new audiences. And it really is time to address the way concerts are presented, the dress, the locale, the programming, etc.
So, in the words of Casey Stengel, "Can't anybody here play this game?" I hope somebody figures it out before it's too late. I've still got a lot of music I want to play for the people. (Just read that this Summer's NY Phil Concerts in the Park are being canceled. If you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere!!!)
Will list the latest and greatest in the way of new concert bookings next month. Lot's of exciting things coming up!
Stay cool. It's 23000 degrees in Manhattan as I write this.
MB
