When I consider any success I have had in my life, in both personal and professional realms, the one constant element which seems to lie at the core of any achievement is a relentless and focused perseverance. I believe music study and practice at a young age, when properly cultivated, brings about this particularly rare quality in a person.
I seem to always revisit this often told story:
When the legendary cellist Pablo Casals, was asked by a young reporter,
“Mr. Casals, at age 80, why do you still practice 6 hours a day?”
He replied, “Because I think I‘m making progress.” 1
Pablo Casals making progress
The Process
In my view the purpose and essence of an arts manager rests in several important duties and responsibilities. One especially important for me, is a required adherence to authenticity in the presentation of art and especially in music, to reveal to an audience the composer’s intentions of their work. Most master composers are not with us and therefore need arts presenters, administrators, music directors, conductors to be honest and authentic advocates for their work. This for me is an absolute duty of anyone presenting music concerts in the performing arts.
Unlike most other kinds of art, music requires re-creation every time it is performed. This is always a partnership with the composer and one that is not a 50/50 endeavor. A performer or arts manager needs to demonstrate that they are in service to the composer or the creator of the art. I have, when pressed, suggested on a few occasions, that if a conductor wants to vastly re-interpret a Beethoven symphony, they should put down the baton and go pick up a pencil, because they need to satisfy their creative impulses by writing their own music and not modifying Ludwig’s.
Consider
1) What about working in the Arts always inspires you?
2) How do your best skills apply to presenting art?
3) What is your purpose, strategy, specific & attainable goal…for the coming year AND beyond?
My Mission Statement in Performing Arts Administration
My refresh of writing a personal mission statement for my own endeavors in arts management:
I have witnessed Itzhak’s right hand, Ahmad’s left hand, and Ludwig’s handwriting. I have heard what Luciano’s breath can do and what Stephen’s vision can create.2
Great music is always created with intense passion, but still requires discovery and masterful presentation. With a conductor’s insight, a talent agent’s vision and a CEO’s steadfast focus, I present art with a mission to reveal the artist’s original passion with every performance. The wondrous part is, new audiences are born everyday, so there is much work to be done.
I’m sure I will revisit and adjust this statement over time (and I should) and for different settings, however I believe this is how I currently view my arts administrative purpose.
1 Quote Investigator (February 12, 2014) https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/02/12/casals-progress/
2 With a nod to David Foster Wallace’s penchant for footnoting. I regularly, and for a long time, have found myself in the study of these artists, so much so, that I believe I may refer to them on a first name basis.
Itzhak Perlman
Ahmad Jamal
Ludwig van Beethoven
Luciano Pavarotti
Stephen Sondheim
