Orchestra Toolbox Sessions

Explore important issues from a multiple-discipline perspective at the Orchestra Toolbox sessions. You can choose from a slate of practical, thought-provoking presentations and discussions that will enable you to take home fresh ideas and hands-on problem-solving techniques.

The response to Orchestra Toolbox sessions at last year’s Conference was so positive that we have doubled the number and scheduled them on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon so that you may participate in two different sessions. Please note that no constituent meetings conflict with Toolbox sessions.

Wednesday, May 31, 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Best Practices in Successful Partnerships
Forging relationships with people inside and with organizations outside of your orchestra is key to building support and reaching new constituencies. Identify the principles that characterize outstanding partnerships, and find out what works and what doesn’t. Share your own experiences and ideas, too, at roundtable discussions.

Moderator:
Hope Tschopik Schneider, management consultant
Panelists:
Richard Burrows, director of arts education, Los Angeles Unified School District
Peter Jaffe, music director, Stockton Symphony
Michael Kosmala, vice president of marketing and community engagement, Oregon Symphony
Philip West, executive director, Stockton Symphony

Breaking Through!
How do breakthroughs happen? It’s not just the “lone genius” acting in isolation. Learn how to nurture individual mindsets and organizational practices that create a culture ripe for new ideas and the capacity for successful innovation.

Panelists:
Bruce Coppock, president & managing director, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Catherine Maciariello, program officer for the performing arts, Andrew W.
Mellon Foundation
Jim Rosenberg, vice president, National Arts Strategies


The Community of Musicians — Musicians for the Community
What needs to be done to provide a really satisfying life for an orchestra musician? How can musicians deepen their roles in audience development and education? What changes are called for from training institutions, orchestra managements, and musicians themselves to create opportunities for ongoing artistic growth and meaningful engagement with new audiences?

Moderator:
Ernest Fleischmann, consultant and former managing director, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Panelists:
Fergus McWilliam, hornist, Berlin Philharmonic
Peter Rofé, bassist, Los Angeles Philharmonic
James Undercofler, dean, Eastman School of Music
Alan Valentine, president and CEO, The Nashville Symphony

Emerging Strategies for the Online Audience
Orchestras are forging new partnerships to exploit digital technology, aiming to make music available in ways that didn’t exist even a few years ago. Learn how three orchestras are engaging new audiences through digital downloads, making recordings available through iTunes and other online music stores – and what these strategies may mean for you.

Moderator:
Douglas McLennan, founder and editor in chief, ArtsJournal.com
Panelists:
John Kieser, director, operations and electronic media, San Francisco Symphony
Robert Levine, violist, Milwaukee Symphony
Chad Smith, vice president of artistic planning, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association

Meet the Press
What is the media’s perception of the “state of orchestras” in today’s world? Getting the attention of the press isn’t easy, and the media landscape, like the orchestra field, is currently undergoing enormous change. Many outlets are shrinking their arts coverage, others are expanding and new opportunities are appearing. Enjoy a provocative discussion exploring realities versus suppositions with leading arts journalists.

Moderator:
Mary Lou Falcone, M.L. Falcone Public Relations
Panelists:
Justin Davidson, Newsday
Wynne Delacoma, Chicago Sun-Times
Gail Eichenthal, KUSC-FM
Craig Fisher, Los Angeles Times
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times

Straight Talk Between Foundations and Orchestras
Foundations provide not only critical support to orchestras but also offer a unique perspective on the field in the larger context of arts, culture, and changing community priorities. Hear a frank discussion among foundation officers and orchestra leaders about their respective perceptions and priorities.

Moderator:
James E. Canales, president and CEO, The James Irvine Foundation
Panelists:
Deborah Borda, president and CEO, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Julie Diaz, vice president, development and board relations, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Moy Eng, program director, performing arts, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Janet L. Sarbaugh, senior program director, Arts & Culture, The Heinz Endowment

Thursday, June 1, 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Beyond the Hall: The LA Phil Story
Building a great new hall or introducing a new music
director can get an orchestra a lot of attention. But
how to keep your orchestra in the spotlight beyond that initial burst of interest? Leaders from the Los Angeles Philharmonic share strategies for keeping a positive focus on their orchestra and extending the duration of the news cycle.

Panelists:
Glenn Baker, vice president and chief financial officer, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Deborah Borda, president and CEO, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Joan Cumming, vice president, marketing and communication, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Emily Laskin, vice president, development, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Arvind Manocha, vice president and general manager, Hollywood Bowl & Presentations, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Gail Samuel, vice president and general manager, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Genre Buster – Conversation with John Mauceri
Programming a season can be a challenge – or an
opportunity. In a candid talk, John Mauceri reveals his
programming philosophy, which incorporates visual and philosophical principles, and how his approach has attracted large audiences to orchestra venues as diverse as the legendary Hollywood Bowl, Yale University, and the Leipzig Gewandhaus.

Presenter:
John Mauceri, principal conductor, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and music director, Pittsburgh Opera

Getting to Vision
Keeping the big picture in mind, so that everyone
involved works as a team toward a unified goal, is essential to the success of any organization. For orchestras, determining and articulating an overarching vision leads to internal cohesion and renewed energy. Orchestra leaders share their wisdom and practical tactics.

Moderator:
Thomas W. Morris, artistic director, Ojai Festival
Panelists:
Mary Gibson, violinist, Vermont Symphony
Holly H. Hudak, executive director, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras
Bernard Robertson, trustee, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Lee Streby, executive director, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

The Price Is Right. Or Is It?
As the cost of doing business escalates, should ticket
prices keep pace? How to offer a range of price points so that live symphonic music remains available to anyone who is interested? Is cost a factor when music lovers select concerts? The League shares the latest research on pricing, attendance, and revenue as well as new approaches to ticket pricing.


Panelists:
Andrew Berryhill, executive director, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Cook, vice president of marketing and communications, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Jack McAuliffe, vice president and chief operating officer, American Symphony Orchestra League
David Snead, director of marketing, New York Philharmonic 
Charlie Wade, vice president marketing/communications, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Strong Board – Strong Orchestra
It’s a simple equation, yet one that’s difficult to achieve: dynamic, insightful boards of directors = successful orchestras. An expert in nonprofit governance reveals the steps necessary to building a strong orchestra board.

Presenter:
David Nygren, partner, Mercer Delta Consulting

Volunteer Leadership Sessions

So You’re Directing the Show…
Discuss leadership techniques to make your Discuss volunteer leadership techniques to make your presidency satisfying for you and successful for your organization.

Presenters:
Sunny Lundgren, past president, Volunteer Council
Lois Margolin, president-elect, Volunteer Council
Pam Weaver, president, Volunteer Council

And the Excellence in Innovation Award Goes to...
Join members of The Symphony Guild of Charlotte, Inc., as they share their process to assess and stabilize
volunteer activities.

Facilitators:
Margie Anderson, Peggy Dreher, Al Leffler, and Gigi Leffler of The Symphony Guild of Charlotte, Inc.