Tag Archive for 'columbus dispatch'

Arts attendence up for some

Published on March 9, 2009 in Columbus Cultural Politics and columbus symphony orchestra. 0 Comments Tags: columbus dispatch, columbus symphony, jazz arts group, michael kaiser, opera columbus.

Two articles in the Columbus Dispatch detail the ups and downs of local arts organizations struggling in the sagging economy. Some are faring well in the current economic storm.

Unfortunately the Columbus Symphony is still struggling even after drastic cuts last year. I hope the leadership of the Columbus Symphony takes a good look at the ideas of Michael Kaiser, as I suggested in a previous post, The Art of the Turnaround. It’s never too late to redirect the organization more creatively. You can also hear an interview with Kaiser by Christopher Purdy HERE.

The first article is Staying Alive

Amid the worst economic downturn in a generation, a surprising number of central Ohio arts groups say they’re holding their own — or, in a few cases, thriving.

From the treasures of ancient Egypt to modern jazz, some arts-related offerings are succeeding at the box office with tried-and-true or distinct programming viewed as a good value in lean times.

“History has proved that the entertainment business can navigate a bad economy better than other segments, but you’ve got to be smart about it,” said Bob Breithaupt, executive director of the Jazz Arts Group.

…Single-ticket sales for ProMusica concerts have increased 39 percent during the past two years, said Executive Director Janet Chen. Subscription sales are up, too, but to a lesser degree.

“Arts thrive in recession times, even going back hundreds of years,” she said.

To be sure, belt-tightening (and worse) is taking place in the arts, especially among groups with high overhead and production costs, such as operas and orchestras.

Both the Columbus Symphony and Opera Columbus are selling fewer season tickets and receiving less corporate, foundation and individual support than in previous years.


Charting the ups, downs of area arts groups supplies the facts behind the first article. In general, the smaller organizations are doing better, but none are impervious to current economic stresses.

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Today’s Dispatch Article

Published on July 15, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Columbus Cultural Politics, columbus symphony orchestra, symphony board and symphony management. 4 Comments Tags: beadle, columbus dispatch, columbus symphony, cso events, executive director, junichi hirokami, music director, tony beadle.

Korine Fujiwara, a violinist with the orchestra, responded appropriately to the hypocritical attack on Junichi Hirokami by Tony Beadle in today’s Dispatch. While it is common for a Music Director to “jet set” from city to city to make a living, and thereby hardly ever residing in any particular city in which he directs, Tony Beadle’s has lived in an Extended Stay hotel since he began working for the Columbus Symphony, which is unheard of for an Executive Director.

It should also be known that Junichi Hirokami, during any visit to Columbus, made himself completely available for meetings with prospective donors. Yet Tony Beadle failed to schedule Maestro Hirokami to lobby for the orchestra.

Hello all,

Regarding the following quote from today’s Dispatch 7/15/2008: (emphasis mine) “Hirokami should have remained neutral, said Tony Beadle, executive director of the symphony — adding that Hirokami has also failed to perform key duties of a music director for a major orchestra, partly because he hasn’t put down roots in central Ohio. “A good deal of the work is not done on the podium,” Beadle said. “A music director is the face of the orchestra and ambassador of good will to the community and potential donors.”

I still haven’t had the opportunity to meet Mr. Beadle’s family. Have he and his family moved from Boston to Columbus yet? Where does he currently reside? In what state? Do they still live in the Boston area?

The fact that Hirokami doesn’t live in Columbus has been widely touted in the press, but if it is indeed true that after more than two years, Tony Beadle, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the Columbus Symphony, HAS STILL NOT “PUT DOWN ROOTS IN CENTRAL OHIO” either, shouldn’t this also be newsworthy? Isn’t it also a HUGE problem for fundraising and the overall general health of an organization IF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DOESN’T HAVE A PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN CENTRAL OHIO?

We all have had the pleasure of meeting Junichi Hirokami’s family on many occasions, and it is my understanding that they even visited potential schools for their daughter on at least one occasion.

Korine Fujiwara

I would like to add that the board hired Junichi two years ago. Yet management has failed to effectively market him and utilize his time wisely when he visits Columbus. Who is to say he wouldn’t move here if given appropriate support from a functioning board.

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Eerie Silence in Columbus

Published on June 5, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Clarinet, Columbus Cultural Politics, Technique, columbus symphony orchestra, symphony board and symphony management. 1 Comment Tags: audition, Columbus city council, columbus dispatch, columbus partnership, Governor Strickland, greater columbus arts council, having a bad dream, Mayor Coleman, minneapolis mn, music director, orchestra hall, silence.

I feel like I’m in a bad dream, and that I’ll wake up tomorrow to make music for Columbus, as I and my colleagues have done for decades.

Minnesota Orchestra HallA friend just returned from an audition trip to Minneapolis, MN. She described the area around the Orchestra Hall as intensely marketed toward the symphony: a huge poster of their Music Director, Osmo Vänskä, Symphony Restaurants, Symphony Apartments. The whole area boasts of and features the symphony.

Here in Columbus, the silence is eerie from those who should know better: our Symphony Board, our Columbus City Council, our Mayor Coleman, our Greater Columbus Arts Council, our Governor Strickland, the Columbus Partnership, the Dispatch “Ohio’s Greatest Newspaper”, and those whose job it is to do what has been done in Minneapolis, make their orchestra everyone’s orchestra.

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Letter from Gisela Josenhans

Published on May 17, 2008 in Columbus Cultural Politics, Our Supporters and columbus symphony orchestra. 0 Comments Tags: beadle, columbus dispatch, mismanagement, picnic with the pops.

Gisela is an active supporter of the Symphony and the arts in Columbus and a member of the Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

The source of the death knell for the beloved Columbus Symphony Orchestra has revealed itself in the May 16 Columbus Dispatch article about the multitude of community support efforts, the orchestra and the incredible conductor. Mr. Beadle’s negative attitude and commentary at the end of the article says it all. Instead, he should have sung the praises of such efforts and embraced the widespread, creative energies of such efforts to maintain the symphony.

He apparently kept the true picture of the orchestra’s financial condition to himself and the board, instead of facing the financial needs and undertaking the broad and creative development efforts that are required to maintain a first rate orchestra.

Several years ago, the musicians set such a wonderful example by giving up thousands of dollars from their salaries to allow the orchestra to continue. With the proper development and fund raising efforts, the community would have followed their example.

The orchestra contributes in innumerable ways to all our lives. It is a shame that mismanagement, or perhaps neglect, or perhaps a less than supportive attitude of the management and some trustees has resulted in the risk of loss of this resource.

Management needs to find a way to reinstate the Picnic with the Pops series as a way of preserving the orchestra and continuing to afford the public the tremendous joy of musical summer weekends.

The orchestra needs new management with community leaders who love the orchestra, who properly manage its finances and financing, and who will have an attitude that will foster creative and imaginative plans that will enable central Ohio to continue to enjoy the artistic excellence of the orchestra’s exceptionally talented musicians and maestro.

Very truly yours,

Gisela E. Josenhans

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Letter to the Citizens and Leadership of Columbus

Published on April 26, 2008 in Behind the Scenes. 8 Comments Tags: barbara zuck, brilliant performance, columbus dispatch, columbus symphony orchestra, miscellaneous, ny times, orchestral music, salary cuts, symphony management, world class quality.

“The mission of the Columbus Symphony is to develop and foster the art of orchestral music at the highest possible artistic level. Through its concerts, outreach, and educational activities, it is a community resource that is a major component of the quality of life in Central Ohio.” -From the Columbus Symphony Management Strategic Plan

“…The board, musicians and community must work together (because) Columbus deserves and needs this orchestra,” -Anne Melvin, Columbus Symphony Trustee, Columbus Dispatch, 1/18/08

“The foundation of the ARTS in Columbus is the Symphony. It’s the treasure that supports the Opera, the Ballet, and educational programs for children in the public schools.” -Joann Foucht, Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Dispatch, 1/28/08

“Last night’s brilliant performance by this maestro and this orchestra made believers out of everyone: The Hirokami Era has begun.” -Barbara Zuck, Columbus Dispatch

“…In six years I can make this orchestra one of the best.” -Junichi Hirokami, NY Times, 4/12/08

“…Business leaders and artists throughout the nation (are) watching Columbus. They… hope to see a demonstration of confidence in the future of this city.” -Bruce Ridge, Chair, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) Letter to Editor, Columbus Dispatch, 2/6/08

To the Citizens and Leadership of Columbus-

The world is watching Columbus as the Symphony Board of Trustees and Management request large cuts from an orchestra whose members are performing with world class quality. The orchestra took 11% pay cuts three years ago, now restored, to help shore up sagging financial support following a lengthy period without an Artistic or Executive Director. Better results were promised. Now management insists on 40% salary cuts to stabilize the organization.

A gem of cultural pride, loved by Columbus audiences, the Symphony as we know it would not survive these cuts.

The people of Greater Columbus Community know and appreciate the exemplary quality of the Symphony. A flood of supportive letters to the Dispatch has demonstrated this. Our fine Orchestra contributes to the vitality of downtown, both economically and culturally. Thousands of people attend regular concerts, enriched by the unique experience of live classical music. Thousands more benefit from the outreach and education fostered by the members of the Symphony.

In the past decade, total non-musician expenses have increased an average of 7% per year, while total musician expenses increased only 4% per year. In fact, the percentage for musician costs actually went down from 47% of the total budget in the ‘99-’00 season to 39% in ‘05-’06. Musician costs for the ‘06-’07 season were around 42%, at the low end of the national average of 40-50%. (*-source footnote)

The current total musician expenses amount to about $5.4 million out of a $12.4 million budget.* Why not maintain the heart of the orchestra, its musicians, and create a satisfactory budget built on that? Untapped gold mines of volunteers are eager to help. Grassroots organizations can generate untold support and revenue. Several burgeoning efforts are already proving their value. As a community let’s move into action and make it happen.

The Greater Columbus Community accomplishes great things with the right leadership. We all need to step forward and rescue this gem for our city.

“Across the country, exciting things are happening for symphony orchestras. …attendance is up, downloads are rising faster than for any other musical genre, …and the New York Times is proclaiming that this could be “the Golden Age for Classical Music.” - Bruce Ridge, Chair, ICSOM

I encourage you to be a part of the exciting things that are happening for symphony orchestras. Together we can make this happen.

Respectfully,
David H Thomas
Principal Clarinet
Columbus Symphony Orchestra

“I still want to believe there’s a solution out there.” Tony Beadle, Executive Director, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Dispatch, 3/14/08

(* Sources- Total income and expense figures from audit reports provided by the CSO; Total musician expense figures from expense statements provided by the CSO)

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