Comments on: columbus lost at sea?

By: lesviolin

lesviolin — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:27:28 +0000

This situation is a extreme illustration of something I learned long ago through direct experience and observation.
To survive in this business one needs to always remember that no matter how much sacrifice you might make for an orchestra, it will never “care” about you back. In effect it is an inanimate object really, not capable of caring. Better to focus on the music and get yourself a good well balanced life outside of your Orchestra. As so often happens, the musicians in Columbus had been made to feel very involved in the goings on there but in actual fact were kept in the dark about the most vital aspect. The Orchestra Committee Chair states the musicians feel betrayed now. This is sad evidence of their well intentioned but obviously misplaced trust. I certainly hope a way will be found to preserve what they have worked so hard for.

By: Charles Noble

Charles Noble — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:22:56 +0000

I, too, hope that things get worked out in Columbus, and I know that the musicians there will not let the orchestra go under if they have anything to say about it – and I’m sure the same could be said about the management team there as well. But cuts such as are being talked about in Columbus are well nigh a death sentence for an orchestra, especially if it is already struggling. I most of all hope that there is a long-range plan ready to go after such cuts are made – they can’t hope to solve the problems that no doubt exist simply by cutting what they feel they cannot afford.

By: Moe

Moe — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:33:47 +0000

I agree that this is not good news. I am sorry to see your comments about the League of American Orchestras. Usually, you tend to be pretty objective and aware that there are many challenges that face orchestras today, and that there are many fine people on boards, staffs and in orchestras who work together to solve issues. The LOA has been doing some innovative sharing of best practices, introducing new models (which is very hard to do, since orchestras are not “risk laboratories”) and other valuable services. The LOA is a service organization – it cannot tell orchestras or boards or communities how to run their businesses. It’s hard work out there, and getting people to continually give more to support orchestras requires hard and creative work. When a plan fails – even after hard work and creative leadership – I’ll bet nobody feels good about it. “Ineffective leadership” can often be equated with failure of the community to support at a level needed. Not always – but sometimes. Let’s hope things get worked out in Columbus.