Someone from an orchestra suggested that I shouldn’t have talked about changes in cultural weather. If classical music isn’t so popular now, or people aren’t buying subscriptions to orchestra concerts, this isn’t (my correspondent thinks) a change in cultural weather. It’s a change in cultural climate. Weather changes daily; climate changes last for centuries. So a change in climate is far more serious — and that, my correspondent feels, is what we’re facing now.
I’ve since found that this distinction is much debated among orchestra marketing directors.


Recent Comments
Greg Sandow on Good news from Toronto
Thanks! It's wonderful to have this corroboration. I'm sure Peter Oundjian is a crucial part of the Symphony's success.Greg Sandow on Philharmonic clarification
Christina, when the Philharmonic played in Lewisohn Stadium, they didn't have any marketing department. Or any corporate sponsors. Those things...D Shapiro on Good news from Toronto
As a subscriber, and a parent of a 29-year-old, I can provide a little insight. My daughter is fairly typical...Christina Jensen on Philharmonic clarification
If that is true, it's unlikely any publicists were involved, but rather marketing departments and corporate sponsorship folks. http://nyphil.org/support/corporate_benefits.cfmJon Silpayamanant on Good news from Toronto
Some classical music institutions attract a young audience by lowering ticket prices, but then they need funding to offset the...