Live Blog: A Behind-the-Scenes Conversation with The Philadelphia Orchestra
3:22pm Is this work in China about the “survival” of the Philadelphia Orchestra? Vulgamore: [responding to a quote from a recent NPR story] We are not depending on China to sustain the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Orchestra does have to be net positive (financially) in all locations they perform.
3:20pm The notion of brand is very big in China. Sponsors expand their reach through the Philadelphia Orchestra events.
3:13pm China: So many concert halls and so little content.
3:12pm: Vulgamore: Great performances are always part of the equation – but how the Orchestra takes advantage of the unique skills and talents of members of the orchestra and shares that is key. On this trip, the Orchestra did a multitude of pop-up concerts and master classes. The trick in China is to be consistently there. Contracts are important, relationships are more important. Question is – can China afford a brand as big as Philadelphia Orchestra?
3:12pm: Conyers: I appreciate any opportunity to share my art, anywhere in the world.
3:10pm: Especially in China – this is pushing the Orchestra to open up its sense of what community relationships can be. It’s not one size fits all – different communities need/want different things.
3:05pm: First question: how does the recent China tour fit into the broader Philadelphia Orchestra agenda? Vulgamore: The Orchestra has been 7 times to China. Ongoing exchange is built on people-to-people relationships. It was a “play and stay” project, not “play and go.” It was about meeting people.
2:50pm: Our panelists are gathering in the Green Room at Davies Symphony Hall.
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Key Susan:
June 9th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I am curious about how Philadelphia orchestra musicians are involved with play on Philly.
American Orch Forum:
June 9th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Hi Susan – thanks for your question! I’ll pass along to Steven. 🙂
Stanford Thompson:
June 20th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Hi Susan, I am Stanford Thompson, the CEO for Play On, Philly! and I thought I would chime in an answer this question for you. Throughout the season, we’ve had several Philadelphia Orchestra musicians to our pilot site at St. Francis de Sales School to give presentations and teach master classes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGD0iYqx6aI). We also have a couple of musicians who teach our students private lessons and have provided artistic advice to our curriculum.
We collaborate on a big project with Sir Simon Rattle last April by bringing the POP Orchestra to a Philly Orchestra / Simon Rattle rehearsal and when they were finished, our kids took the stage under Simon Rattle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xRM8fWIDBE). We had Philly Orchestra musicians coach our kids during that rehearsal and a couple of days later, the POP Orchestra made its Kimmel Center debut with Rattle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_CNz9Vrtkw), big thanks to the Philly Orchestra.
We are only 1 year old and we have accomplished many things in our relationship this season. We are both looking forward to a second season of collaborations that will go even deeper than this past year. The Philly Orchestra musicians are all heroes to our kids and it means a lot to the community we serve to have such a meaningful connection to the Philly Orchestra.