September 2011
22 posts
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What Makes Top Performers Better? →
Superb piece from The New Yorker medical science columnist Atul Gawande on how experienced surgeons might benefit from the type of coaching frequently employed by top athletes and musicians. A must-read for conductors, whose role – particularly in rehearsal work with players who are as seasoned in their craft as the doctors Gawande discusses – is in many ways analogous to that of a coach.
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“Composing is hard.”
– Timo Andres should know.
If you have reason to be in Iowa in February come hear him expand on this idea when he drops in on the WCFSO to present his own music. In the meantime here is Timo’s look at what has him working hard now:
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“Loosening up the recording contracts is going to be an investment in getting...”
– Nothing in the orchestra biz drives me crazier than the unnecessary and counterproductive restrictiveness of recording contracts at most large ensembles. I regularly decry their stultifying effect on our potential to be relevant and engaged; in fact, nothing could be better for classical performers...
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“Dude, your picture is bigger than Renee Fleming’s.”
– Today at the WCFSO office [in reference to this].
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On 9/11
Earlier this week I spoke with Jacqueline Halbloom at Iowa Public Radio about tomorrow’s 9/11 remembrance program hosted by the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The concert, one of a series of memorial events taking place this week at the University of Northern Iowa, features the WCFSO, the Metropolitan Chorale, Red Cedar Chamber Ensemble and the UNI Department of Theater:
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drivable-planets asked: Do you own a panoramic camera and a regular camera, or is there something on your regular camera where you can take panoramic shots? I own a Nikon D5000, and I don't have that, I don't think.
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quixotekid asked: What program are you using to view your score on the iPad?
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Release day economics
Detailed information from independent band Uniform Motion about how much money they stand to make from the release of a new album this week:
Our new record was ‘officially’ released today. This means that you’ll find the digital version on various different Digital music stores like iTunes, AmazonMP3 and eMusic, and you’ll be able to stream the music from services such as Spotify and Deezer.
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Bellstrike →
Small orchestra websites, like those of many other nonprofits, are often poorly designed and ill-equipped for the critical purpose of accepting donations [or even highlighting a mission statement and list of current activities]. Enter Bellstrike, whose creators recognize that most ‘nonprofits are really passionate about their mission, but not so much when it comes to technology, web...