Orchestral Common Sense?

(If reading this on Facebook, click on 'View Original Post' for links to work)


What's this? Someone again talking common sense? Perhaps our failed economic structure prompts the publication of the murmuring quiet undertones amongst those who see reality.

Good on yer, Mr. Kaiser! Raise that question mightily high.

Does the Symphonic Orchestra Model Work?

Not financially, is the answer. Solution? I have some ideas, but nothing anyone would ever take seriously, particularly as there are unions involved on all sides. Hmmm. Therein lies its own problems, perhaps.

"I LOVE NJ ARTS"! make a video

1. Who knew that October is DISCOVER JERSEY ARTS month? How'd I miss that one? Where did you find out about it?
2. Anyone interested in doing some filming? I have a few opportunities for you...


Art Pride New Jersey Foundation wants your videos for arts contest
By Ronni Reich (Star Ledger)
October 12, 2009, 7:29PM
Local arts aficionados with video cameras can win prizes as the Art Pride New Jersey Foundation celebrates Jon Corzine’s official proclamation of October as Discover Jersey Arts Month.

The “I Love N.J. Arts” video contest invites people to submit 30- to 60-minute videos about why they love the arts in New Jersey to Jerseyarts.com. A panel of New Jersey film personalities will judge the submissions in early November. Three winning entries will each receive a customized Flip Mino video camera. Submissions are being accepted through Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Complete contest details and submission information are available at JerseyArts.com/videocontest.

trying to "bully" British songwriters

I've been devoid of interesting topics to blog about, except plenty of whining [In case you don't know, Bliss 9 - an arts festival on Apr 3 is cancelled].

The BBC have been reporting on a hot topic and this latest post inspired/ angered me to share something: I still really do hate British music unions and professional associations. One reason I left the UK was to rid myself of their imperialism. (I'm a royalist, but these unions go WAY too far). For example, the Performing Rights Society is accusing Youtube/Google of holding songwriters hostage. This article is a perfect demonstration of how the British sabotage a successful image, thing, product, service, by over-pricing it. Why do orchestras need public support? No-one would be able to afford the tickets prices. My answer: reduce the number of orchestras. In London, for example, fill concert halls with two or three major professional groups instead of the 12 that are struggling now.

The current debate isn't even classical - it's mainstream. We Brits are good at charging $10 for an item and when a salesman comes along and sells 500 times the number we were expecting, we now want to charge $75 for the same item. Please. Get a life. Increase the musicians'/ songwriters' income REALISTICALLY, not exponentially. Make more money by selling more products. Increase the price too much, and no-one will buy, which is EXACTLY what's happening right now: Youtube doesn't want to buy and broadcast mainstream music videos because the PRS is asking too much money - I wouldn't want to buy, either! AND, inconceivably, this is NOTHING NEW! Wake up, fellow Brits. Smell the pollution you're creating!

Good luck. I don't get royalty checks anymore, and in this instance, I support Google. In fact, as my own music video production gets underway, perhaps I'll pursue my own agreement with Youtube/ Google and bypass the unessentials...