The People's Music School’s Post

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A recent post from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra: ‘Do you know why orchestral musicians usually wear black formal wear⁉’ provides the following reasons: ‘In the 18th century, orchestras were usually part of the household staff of famous noble families …The musicians would perform at lavish events and would need to be dressed to match the occasion - and the tradition has stuck with us ever since.’ While I appreciate this is an explainer piece of content designed to give more context to an established convention, doesn’t this rationale provide the perfect reason why orchestras should be more innovative in all aspects of their concert presentation? In general, orchestras hold on to too many rules, conventions and behaviours - when to clap, what the musicians should wear, what the audience should wear, conductors not talking from the stage etc. The traditions, whilst part of the heritage of orchestras, can have the net effect of turning away new audience members. Threshold anxiety is a very real phenomenon for orchestras - uninitiated concertgoers tend to feel inferior and intimidated; consequently, this can contribute to them not going - simple as that; people will, unsurprisingly, avoid feeling uncomfortable and inadequate. Not to say that a sense of occasion and the heritage of the orchestral concert should be thrown away; this is part of the richness and depth of the art form. But - as a sector -  can we try and think more proactively about how and why we present our artform in a way that gives as many people as a chance to experience it? At a time when orchestras should be relentlessly building new audiences, we need to break down as many barriers as possible. #culturalleadership #futureorchestras

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Prescriptive rules vs guided adaptability. Guided adaptability isn’t about having NO rules. But it is about not having an insane amount of bureaucracy and overly complex requirements. It is based on the assumption with a decent, uncomplicated, basic level of compliance humans will come through using their adaptability, agility and resilience. Case in point. I wrote the following piece of music about a month ago. It’s for a full symphony orchestra (plus some extra instruments) and even if you can’t read music, you can see (and hear) all hell breaking loose around the midpoint from all the black notes on the screen. The thing is, I have only a high school music education and nothing like that compared with John Williams or Hans Zimmer, for example. I can’t name the chords and largely built the piece from imagination and by ear (listening). The outcome, I think, is quite good, if not better. In this case 40 years of playing instruments and observing those around me coupled with my basic theory in music provided me the guided adaptability for the exact outcome I desired. I though this may be a useful example - here’s the piece, enjoy and happy Sunday! #sms #newviewsafety #guidedadaptability #resilience #safetyresilience #complexity #music #composer #musicalcomposition

🎶 Finding Inspiration in Excellence: Lessons from the Chicago Symphony 🎻 This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending a performance by the renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. As the music filled the concert hall, I couldn't help but be reminded of the incredible dedication and discipline required to become a world-class musician. Behind every flawless performance lies countless hours of practice, unwavering determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It's a testament to true mastery not achieved overnight but through consistent effort and a willingness to push boundaries. The same principle applies to our development, whether in our personal or professional lives. Like those musicians honing their craft, we must commit ourselves to continuous growth and improvement. It's the willingness to put in the work, even when it's challenging, that sets us apart and propels us toward success. So, as we embark on another week filled with opportunities and challenges, let's draw inspiration from the dedication of those who excel in their craft. Let's commit ourselves to practicing perseverance, determination, and excellence in everything we do. Because it's these qualities that truly make the difference in our journey towards personal and professional fulfillment. 🌟 Keep striving for excellence, and remember: the path to greatness is paved with practice and determination. 🌟 #Inspiration #Excellence #ChicagoSymphony #Practice #Determination #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #Perseverance

Giving back: always important, especially when it aligns with your organisation's values. Coxswain Alliance sponsors a critical learning and development program with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; the Fellows. This is about nurturing the talent of the future, building capability. Have a listen to how the seasoned players David and Matthew talk about mentoring young and talented players. It is a nuanced approach that offers multiple avenues for building capability. And Matthew's comment goes to the heart of it. It's not just about being a good player; it's also about being a good colleague. Isn't that the truth!

Interesting event! Music festivals, especially jazz festivals, are something that can make your day, brighten your happy moments and even change your lives. Kids love jazz, too. Often times nothing can amaze like awesome jazz! Jazz isn’t just for listening—it’s a powerful tool in teaching and parenting! 🎷 Jazz can ✨ Boost Creativity: Improvisation sparks innovative thinking. ✨ Teach Flexibility: Embrace spontaneous changes. ✨ Enhance Listening: Sharpen communication skills. Let the rhythm of jazz guide your journey in education and parenting! 🎶 #jazz #latinjazz #likedinmusic #digitalmarketing

Two things I learned last night at the National Symphony Orchestra's performance of Brahms' Fourth Symphony. First, I'm going to make coattails a part of my 2024 wardrobe goals. I think I can pull them off. Second, we need more conductors in the corporate world. A conductor's primary responsibility is to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble, and control the interpretation and pacing of the music. Tell me the last time you saw something like this successfully happen in the corporate world? Their sole purpose is unity and performance of their people. I think the corporate world could benefit from thinking about how to introduce this type of expectation into teams and organizations. Clearly it is not a perfect one to one. I get that music doesn't change and markets do, but think there is something to the clarity and purpose of this role that could inject stunning results in the corporate world. Who knows maybe my next role will be as a corporate conductor!?

Is there a different between developing Collective Intelligence VS Collective Competence? While reflecting on this topic I could see the following analogy: 🎻 Symphony orchestra (collective competence) and a 🎷jazz band (collective intelligence). The symphony orchestra represents collective competence, where each musician is highly skilled in their specific role, and the performance is defined by well-rehearsed coordination and precision. In contrast, a jazz band embodies collective intelligence, characterized by improvisation, adaptability, and real-time collaboration, where each member contributes to the creation of a dynamic and evolving performance. In the current work landscape, collective intelligence seems to be a priority for organizations who want to navigate this changing world, and innovate effectively. Collective intelligence fosters a culture of agility and continuous learning, enabling organizations to respond swiftly to new challenges and opportunities. Do you agree with this perspective? #learninganddevelopment #collectiveintelligence #collectivecompetence #Adaptability #OrganizationalLearning

This episode of ICO Advice features special guest Killian Farrell 🎶 Killian talks us through how he started conducting, his experience with ICO and his own music tips and tricks! #chambermusic #orchestra #musicadvice #conductor #conducting #ICOAdvice