Blue Suede Shoes, BBQ, the Blues, and…Beethoven?
Editor's note: if you are coming to this blog from Adaptistration, check out my response to Drew's post
Welcome to tsailog.com/thememphisdays. After returning home to Chicago for a weekend after NYC, I drove into town just over a week ago to start my seven weeks with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
What is the first thing that pops into your mind when somebody mentions Memphis? Usually, people tend to answer "the Blues", "Elvis" (Graceland), "BBQ", or "rock-n-roll". Classical music and the arts, however, play a vital role in this small city, big town.
I officially hit the ground running last Monday meeting staff by day, board members by evening, and musicians by night. In the past week alone, I attended most of the orchestra’s events: several rehearsals, three concerts, a ball, board meeting, strategic planning session, etc. This pace, especially in regards to rehearsals and performances, was much more than I had anticipated. The orchestra’s budget size is only about 1.5 times that of the LA Chamber Orchestra and both are ROPA organizations, mostly consisting of musicians that also hold other jobs (this used to say "part-time musicians" but was misinterpreted by Drew) Over this past week, the MSO has been just as busy as any large-budget ICSOM orchestra like the Chicago Symphony. The MSO actually utilizes an interesting hybrid labor agreement for its musicians that begins to explain this madness (an interesting topic that I will explore in another blog).
During my short time here, I will focus on just a couple of specific tasks. This allows me to back away from the breadth and increase the depth of projects compared to my LACO days. My new Executive Director mentor is Ryan Fleur, a man who was in my shoes as a Fellow about nine years ago. His style is quite different from Ruth’s (in LA). Differing styles are just what I need to observe and I am confident that I will learn much from him as I did from Ruth.
How is Memphis you ask? Memphis is great. Pat, a wonderful woman in the office helped me secure free…yes free…housing for my seven weeks here. Like many Fellows before me, a kind family invited me to stay in their fully furnished guest house for the duration of my residency. I cannot thank them enough. It is an extremely welcome change from my Best Western days.
That is the abridged update for now. I am off for a run at the local YMCA. Keep an eye out in the top corner of your screen…I promised Hilary a photo update after I make it over to Graceland.
Welcome to tsailog.com/thememphisdays. After returning home to Chicago for a weekend after NYC, I drove into town just over a week ago to start my seven weeks with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
What is the first thing that pops into your mind when somebody mentions Memphis? Usually, people tend to answer "the Blues", "Elvis" (Graceland), "BBQ", or "rock-n-roll". Classical music and the arts, however, play a vital role in this small city, big town.
I officially hit the ground running last Monday meeting staff by day, board members by evening, and musicians by night. In the past week alone, I attended most of the orchestra’s events: several rehearsals, three concerts, a ball, board meeting, strategic planning session, etc. This pace, especially in regards to rehearsals and performances, was much more than I had anticipated. The orchestra’s budget size is only about 1.5 times that of the LA Chamber Orchestra and both are ROPA organizations, mostly consisting of musicians that also hold other jobs (this used to say "part-time musicians" but was misinterpreted by Drew) Over this past week, the MSO has been just as busy as any large-budget ICSOM orchestra like the Chicago Symphony. The MSO actually utilizes an interesting hybrid labor agreement for its musicians that begins to explain this madness (an interesting topic that I will explore in another blog).
During my short time here, I will focus on just a couple of specific tasks. This allows me to back away from the breadth and increase the depth of projects compared to my LACO days. My new Executive Director mentor is Ryan Fleur, a man who was in my shoes as a Fellow about nine years ago. His style is quite different from Ruth’s (in LA). Differing styles are just what I need to observe and I am confident that I will learn much from him as I did from Ruth.
How is Memphis you ask? Memphis is great. Pat, a wonderful woman in the office helped me secure free…yes free…housing for my seven weeks here. Like many Fellows before me, a kind family invited me to stay in their fully furnished guest house for the duration of my residency. I cannot thank them enough. It is an extremely welcome change from my Best Western days.
That is the abridged update for now. I am off for a run at the local YMCA. Keep an eye out in the top corner of your screen…I promised Hilary a photo update after I make it over to Graceland.
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