Huw Jones MBA, BMus(Hons)’s Post

This is a very articulate analysis of the tensions within the cultural ecosystem.

What’s in a name? The orchestra field has seen a spurt of renaming and rebranding projects, some emphasizing their locations, some using evocative abstract qualities as their names, and others have tried both. Read more in Symphony: https://lnkd.in/g9A_n6E5

Improved access and inclusion that GetAboutAble consulting can assist you to achieve

I was invited by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to attend a special rehearsal a couple of weeks ago. It was part of a special program to allow for up and coming Canadian female conductors to get experience with major orchestras so that they can grow their careers internationally. It was a joint project with Tapestry Opera. The TSO’s artistic director Gustavo Gimeno was on hand to listen and provide feedback to the 5 female conductors participating. For me I took away more than just being an opportunity to see an orchestra rehearse. I felt it had lessons to teach about company meetings and line reviews! Some lessons I think relate: Value your participants time in meetings: Gimeno was advising the conductors to edit and select the parts of the piece that most require rehearsing. Recognize that meetings must stay to their appointed length and not run over. Value your team: Repeatedly I heard Gimeno say, “You have a great orchestra here” and pay compliments and recognize that. Be Clear in your Direction: While as conductor you might be able to hear all the players, the players can’t necessarily hear all of them, so be clear in your direction to cue. You are their ears. Not everyone on your team knows the whole picture of a project, so be clear in what each member needs to do. Do not repeat sections that do not need to be re-rehearsed: You will lose your musicians engagement (staff) with repeating information that doesn’t need repetition. Be concise and focus on what is most needed to maintain engagement of your team.

The orchestral landscape is evolving with many Symphonies opting for name changes. While some are emphasizing their local roots, others are choosing evocative, abstract names, and some are blending both approaches. In its latest article, the League of American Orchestras, dives deep into this trend and features exclusive insights from Robert Massey, Executive Artistic Director of Symphony San Jose. Dive into the motivations behind these changes: https://lnkd.in/g9A_n6E5

🎶 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

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

The Key to Success: The Importance of Consistent Practice and Hard Work Discover the secret to success in the music industry and beyond. Learn why consistent practice and hard work are crucial for achieving your goals. Join us as we explore the underappreciated aspect of musicianship and the dedication required to excel. #SuccessSecrets #ConsistentPractice #HardWorkPaysOff #MusicIndustry #Dedication #AchieveYourGoals #ArtistLife #PassionForMusic #Musicianship #MotivationMonday

Exciting job here

SYMPHONY NO. 1 My first full symphony, in four movements, composed from 2022-2024. The second movement is the only movement that is subtitled (as "Heubad"), and it is for divided strings. The rest of the symphony is for full orchestra, although percussion parts (aside from timpani) were deliberately not included in the work. The first movement is inspired by a number of things, with the central climax meant to represent the motion of the Zweihänder. The third movement is a scherzo, and the final movement provides closure on some of the thematic motions throughout. There was a work also known as a "Symphony" composed for wind ensemble; this has been changed to a sinfonietta, as it in its entirety was smaller in formal scope. I plan to eventually make a score video so that you are welcome to follow along with the music. https://lnkd.in/eCVCRFhw