Orchestra Management

What is Orchestra Management? -- Internal Relationships -- Steering the Ship -- Community Relationships -- Artistic Planning -- Financial Management -- Building Sustaining Relationships -- Marketing and Public Relations -- Toward Relevance -- From the Field.

Every orchestra in the world oscillates between crisis and survival. This perpetual movement makes innovation, both in organizational form and in artistic product, vital to the sustainability of the symphony orchestra. Based on case study research in Flanders, Amsterdam and London, this book reflects on the sustainability crisis of the orchestra by framing it as a legitimacy crisis that affects both the orchestra’s artistic and organizational identity. The aim of this book is to explore the dynamics between various and often conflicting factors in the orchestra’s quest for survival, and to show how these organizational dynamics relate to the orchestra’s repertoire. By highlighting the importance of every organization’s specific environment to which it needs to adapt, this book illustrates that the orchestra field is not a field that relies on best practices. The book reflects on conventional as well as innovative orchestra models, making the comparative point of view relevant for academic or practice-based researchers, orchestra managers, policymakers and subsidizing bodies interested in sustainable and future-oriented orchestra management.

Introducing the business models, organisational structures, and fundamentals of orchestras, this book takes readers on a journey through the evolution of orchestra management. The author explores the dynamics between artistic excellence and financial sustainability. Key aspects of orchestra management are examined in detail, including artistic programming, strategic planning, financial and compliance/legal matters, audience development, resilience and adaptability, governance and board relations, diversity and inclusion, partnerships, and the role of technology and innovation. With actionable resources, such as checklists, templates, and frameworks, for current and future orchestra leaders and managers, this comprehensive guide empowers readers in education and practice to navigate the complexities of orchestra management confidently and effectively.

As the only major orchestra without a conductor, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a shining example of a highly effective management style based on collaborative leadership. Leadership Ensemble is designed to show business leaders in any industry how to re-create the successful "Orpheus Process" in their own companies by dismantling top-heavy hierarchies; developing flexible, responsive strategies and decision-making procedures; and unleashing employee creativity, responsibility, and productivity. The authors delineate the eight core principles of collaborative management, including shared and rotated leadership, passionate dedication to mission, clarity of roles within an organization, and learning to listen. Spiced with anecdotes and case studies, Leadership Ensemble is an entertaining, practical guide to survival in today's speed-of-light business environment.

This book follows the life of, Damien Shindelman and the bizarre series of events that shaped his unique personality and path to be coming a professional oboist. From his abusive grandmother, deplorable grade school years, to his early childhood adventures, his unique story is a cleverly woven saga that will leave you shocked, bemused, and openly laughing. His jaded yet comical portrayals of all the instruments in the orchestra will give you a new perspective on life in the symphony orchestra. From fact to fiction, every instrument has it's roast, as well as the more interesting musicians in the ensemble.You will also be able to follow the history of the Phoenix Symphony with all its struggles, set backs, and triumphs, including all the varied conductors who have graced its stage over the past thirty years. If you ever wanted to know the inside scoop on the Phoenix Symphony and the town itself, this is the book for you.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Grace, Grit, and Glory details the history of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as seen through the prism of the city it has called home for nearly 130 years. Now one of America’s finest orchestras, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra began in 1887 as a rather small ensemble of around thirty-five players in a city that was just emerging as an industrial powerhouse. Since then, both the city and its orchestra have known great success in musical artistry for the symphony and economic influence for the city. They have each faced crises as well—financial, social, and cultural—that have forced the DSO into closure three times, and the city to the brink of dissolution. Yet somehow, in the face of adversity, the DSO stands strong today, a beacon of perseverance and rebirth in a city of second chances. This is the first history of the DSO to document the orchestra from its earliest incarnation in the late nineteenth century to its current status as one of the top orchestras in the country. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra tells the story of the organization—the musicians, the musical directors, the boards, and the management—as they strove for musical excellence, and the consistent funding and leadership to achieve it in the changing economic and cultural landscape of Detroit. Author Laurie Lanzen Harris, with Paul Ganson, explores the cycles of glory, collapse, and renewal of the orchestra in light of the city’s own dynamic economic, demographic, and cultural changes. Any reader with an interest in Detroit history or the history of American symphony orchestras should have this book on his or her shelf.

The Corona pandemic has affected orchestra organizations around the globe since January 2020. Most of the ensembles were forced to stop operations during hard lockdown periods of public life. Freelance ensembles and privately funded orchestras faced even higher pressure than state funded ones. The pandemic has shown, how fragile orchestras may be. On the other hand the pandemic has brought forth a boost of creative alternatives from single musicians, from greater ensembles and from orchestra managements to upkeep operations under new physically distanced conditions and on the internet. Highest flexibility was shown in artistic planning, in creating new programs, in digital and recording work, in outreach and education activities, in new concert formats or support of pandemic-related charity campaigns. The pandemic has shown, how agile orchestras might be. The very questions are: What are the lessons learned from the pandemic challenges? What are new structural approaches for musicians and managements to rethink orchestral organizations for the post-pandemic future? How can the engagement of musicians and staff for the own organization be enhanced? How can the ties towards the members of already familiar audience groups be strengthened? Every co-author of this book is a specialist in his or her field. Together we're looking out to all aspects from which we think that orchestral organizations should take a breeze of fresh air and rethink their operations in the "new normal" after the pandemic. There is no step back, there only are steps forward.

The Production Manager’s Toolkit Second Edition offers an up-to-date, comprehensive introduction to a theatrical and special event production career for new and aspiring professionals, given by expert voices in the field. The book discusses management techniques, communication skills, and relationship building tactics to become effective and successful production managers. With a focus on management theory, top production managers provide insights into budgeting, scheduling, meetings, hiring, maintaining safety, and more. Through interviews and case studies, production management techniques are explored throughout various entertainment genres including theatre, dance, opera, music, and special events. The second edition includes all new case studies, new chapters, and updated content throughout, showcasing a continued progressive approach to the job and the field. Filled with references, tools, templates, and checklists, The Production Manager’s Toolkit is an invaluable resource for students of Production Management, Events Management, and Stage Management courses, as well as new and aspiring professionals. The book includes access to a companion website featuring downloadable paperwork and links to other useful resources such as unions, venues, and vendors. (www.routledge.com/cw/gillett)