What follows is a live blog from our behind-the-scenes conversation with leaders of The Cleveland Orchestra.
Participants include:
- Gary Hanson, Executive Director of The Cleveland Orchestra
- Gary Ginstling, General Manager
- Joshua Smith, Principal Flute
- Dennis LaBarre, President of the Musical Arts Association, governing body of The Cleveland Orchestra
5:24pm Hanson: Word-of-mouth has always been the best way to get people in the hall. The dearth of formal music criticism in newspapers has not created a huge void.
5:21pm LaBarre: The long-term commitment from conductor Franz Welser-Möst is the bedrock of the whole situation. He has been remarkably receptive to community programs. He wants to be involved.
5:13pm Smith: Culture is changing to a more open-minded, pragmatic way of thinking about things.
5:12pm LaBarre: As president the past three years, he’s focused on three things: 1) maintaining top artistic quality, 2) ensuring the long-term financial stability of the orchestra, and 3) strengthening “the fabric of the institution” – the three groups musicians, board, management becoming much more unified. A sense of… We are in it together, we know each other. (more…)
