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Emily E Hogstad

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Commenter for
28 weeks 1 day

Recent Comments

Posted on 06/11/13 at 04:16 pm in response to Some in MNO 'exodus' took leaves or left before lockout

Hi, Ms. Saarela! I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight, too!

The Chicago Symphony has 111 players. Right now, Minnesota has something in the mid-70s (sorry I can't give an exact number; departures are occurring so quickly I can't keep track of them). It is not "common" in your industry for an orchestra to be without an Associate Concertmaster, three section 1st violins, Principal Second Violin, Assistant Principal Second Violin, four section 2nd violins, four violas...

Posted on 06/10/13 at 10:23 am in response to How management's self-inflicted wounds are killing Minnesota’s two world-class orchestras — and what to do about it

What I find interesting about the - let's call it Coppock theory, for lack of a better term - is that it requires loyalty to the institution and extraordinary trust in the board of directors to have any chance of working. I and my friends may buy tickets to either the SPCO or MO, depending on how these lockouts shake out. But I can guarantee you, we are literally years away from ever donating a cent to either orchestra, and until significant changes are made at the top of both organizations...

Posted on 06/10/13 at 01:12 pm in response to How management's self-inflicted wounds are killing Minnesota’s two world-class orchestras — and what to do about it

Did you know that many professional orchestral auditions result in no-hires, because the quality of the players who showed up is not high enough, or the particular players who showed up did not mesh with the rest of the group? Many delusional people audition for orchestras, inflating the number of applicants. Principal positions are especially difficult to fill, and they can remain open for years.

Unfortunately, the business plans of the Minnesota Orchestra are simply not sound, as I...

Posted on 06/10/13 at 04:07 pm in response to How management's self-inflicted wounds are killing Minnesota’s two world-class orchestras — and what to do about it

Be prepared for more.

Posted on 06/11/13 at 11:33 pm in response to How management's self-inflicted wounds are killing Minnesota’s two world-class orchestras — and what to do about it

How long did it take to find a concertmaster in Minnesota? How long did it take to find LA's principal flute? Principal clarinet in New York? Tell me. Heck, it's often difficult to fill section positions in "lesser" orchestras in Florida, San Diego, or Milwaukee, because the orchestra simply can't find the right person. Insane? Maybe. But it's true, and it's the way this crazy business works, and there are reasons why. Head over to myauditions.org and read a bit...you'd be surprised at how...

Posted on 05/31/13 at 04:30 pm in response to Questions remain about fiscal performance of Minnesota Orchestra's board, management

Thank you for the clarification. I have heard from people connected to MYS that cost was the main barrier, and I have also heard that rental rates for the hall have gone up substantially post-renovation, so there does appear to be misconceptions floating around. I have some inquiries into my sources and will submit a correction to MinnPost. Thanks again for your comment. I want to do everything I can to be factually accurate.

If anyone else has additional information to share, please...

Posted on 06/02/13 at 10:44 am in response to Questions remain about fiscal performance of Minnesota Orchestra's board, management

Thanks for the feedback.

Re: tone. You might be aware of this, but I - and many, many of my friends - have been trying to engage with the Minnesota Orchestral Association since September. We write letters. We make phone calls. We start petitions. One of my readers heard a few lines from a board member after she wrote him a letter. But that's it. That's it! In fact, several of my readers have been outright lied to in fundraising calls (they were told Cleveland and Chicago were working...

Posted on 06/02/13 at 11:29 am in response to Questions remain about fiscal performance of Minnesota Orchestra's board, management

I have heard from MYS that the primary reason they are not having concerts at Orchestra Hall next season is because of scheduling conflicts; however, if the dates had worked, MYS would have faced a considerable cost increase to rent the facility. I'm unconvinced of the wisdom of Orchestra Hall raising rates for local non-profits that serve and educate young orchestral musicians.

Thanks to all who have responded.

Posted on 06/04/13 at 05:42 pm in response to Questions remain about fiscal performance of Minnesota Orchestra's board, management

Also wanted to mention: Boston did NOT declare bankruptcy. I think you're thinking of Philadelphia. Philadelphia's program service revenue decrease, expressed in percentages, was even worse than Minnesota.

Posted on 06/07/13 at 03:25 pm in response to Questions remain about fiscal performance of Minnesota Orchestra's board, management

It's relevant because the people who mismanaged the orchestra in the past are the ones creating the plans moving forward.