Category: music

“British choirs simply get it. I’m sure it comes from the centuries-old tradition of singing but there is a seasoned polish and an attitude about the music-making that is at once soulful and unsentimental, expressive without being maudlin.”

In her capacity as creatuve consultant, the soprano “will join the Lyric board as a vice president and take an active leadership position within the artistic administration. Along with performing opera and concerts at the Lyric, she will work with senior officials to create new projects, expand education and marketing efforts and collaborate with other Chicago arts organizations.”

“Most people feel chills and shivers in response to music that thrills them, but some people feel these chills often and others feel them hardly at all. People who are particularly open to new experiences are most likely to have chills in response to music, according to a [new] study.”

“The Guerilla Orchestra is the brainchild of Manchester-based double bassist Heather Bird. She was so inspired by members of Dutch radio orchestras – who responded to threats to axe their jobs with a protest performance in the Hague’s railway station – that she has “completely ripped off” their idea, in order to spread the word about the dangers of cuts to music education in Britain, from primary schools all the way up to universities and music colleges.”

(In New York, of course…)

“Australia’s orchestras sprouted in a desert of musical talent in the 1930s. Halfway across the world, London’s musicians fiercely competed for orchestra berths and each season they played could be their last if their performance was not up to scratch.” In Oz, it seems, one didn’t need much more than an instrument. Things are much better now, but what of less-gifted old-timers with tenure?

“Orchestra Victoria looks likely to continue full-time operations next year, as negotiations continue with its players about ways of avoiding receivership. The orchestra’s acting general manager, Rob Robertson, says he is ‘quietly confident’ agreement will be reached by the end of the week that will allow full-time operations for all of 2011.”

“Teaching is a great responsibility, no matter what the field. You become instructor, parent, friend, diagnostician and psychologist–trying to understand and cure any problem that might arise.”

“Police and protesters tonight clashed violently outside La Scala, as the conductor Daniel Barenboim also took advantage of the Milan opera house’s gala first night to protest against cuts in Italy’s culture budget.”

“The Indiana Symphony Society on Monday reported a near-record deficit of $2.7 million on its $25.8 million budget for the 2010 fiscal year. And symphony CEO Simon Crookall said this won’t be the end of the bleeding.”