Performing Labor

An interview with clarinetist, writer, speaker, and thought-leader, Alex Laing. Alex is the principal clarinetist of the Phoenix Symphony, an orchestra and board member of the Gateways Music Festival, and on the creative team of the NPR show, From the Top.

Highlights

• Being an enormous positive influence professionally - 6:43
• His background - 9:24
• Engage, attract, and reflect - 11:31
• Is there an opportunity to share new values? - 24:33
• Practicing performances - 33:42
• Having different narratives - 35:25
• The best music played by the best musicians - 38:30
• What values do we need to communicate - 43:20
• Becoming more human-centered - 44:55
• Is an orchestra a learning or planning organization? - 48:16
• Having an artistic and personal ambition - 48:16
• The purpose of the orchestra - 1:03:09 Episode Resources
• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com/p/bio.html
• Alex's website: https://www.alexlaingmusic.com
• The Gateways Music Festival: https://www.gatewaysmusicfestival.org
• The Phoenix Symphony: https://www.phoenixsymphony.org
• Performances:
• Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Phoenix Symphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vXzIU8XH70
• "Po' Pilgrim" - The Downtown Chamber Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD0PJkiGq-M
• "There is a Balm in Gilead" on From the Top: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWE0vqQhpek
• Alex's book recommendations:
• Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership -- Lee G. Bolman, Terrence E. Deal
• Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn from the Most Iconic Band in History -- David Scott
• The World Is Made of Stories -- David Loy

An interview with cellist, singer/songwriter, storyteller, composer, improviser, and activist, Ben Sollee.

Highlights

• Combining music and drama - 6:58
• Find your path and pursue it - 12:04
• Why study classical music - 18:15
• The culture of classical music - 22:24
• The music business - 28:10
• Helping people feel something - 41:18
• Finding a balance point - 47:09
• Consistency is really important - 48:23
• His mission - 50:06
• A crucial shift for growing - 51:22
• It's important to support artists - 55:10
• Transparency is key - 56:16
• Building trust is what it's all about - 57:21
• Handling disruption - 58:40
• Why he is still in Kentucky - 59:59
• Making a career in the arts - 1:06:36 Episode Resources
• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Connect with Ben Sollee
• https://www.bensollee.com
• Ben Sollee and the Louisville Orchestra:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKP3Wm3ioRY
• Ben Sollee and the Downtown Chamber Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8siR1tmT5zE

An interview with violinist Holly Mulcahy, Concertmaster/Partner for Audience Engagement at the Wichita Symphony, concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony, soloist, recitalist, founder of Arts Capacity, and blogger.

Highlights

• Her background - 6:47
• When joy was missing - 8:26
• Sometimes the energy is lacking - 11:08
• Bringing out the level of the institution - 12:55
• Good attitude vs. bad attitude - 14:26
• Trying to influence attitudes - 16:16
• Egos are so powerful - 20:00
• Not feeling appreciated - 24:59
• Stopped teaching and focused on her own practice - 28:25
• What schools are teaching - 30:55
• Never assume that people are going to like something - 34:55
• We are terrible listeners - 42:26
• Building trust together - 46:50
• Relaxation with music - 54:04
• Having a mobile career in the future - 56:50
• The importance of listening to the audience - 1:00:58

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Connect with Holly Mulcahy:
• Holly's Recommendations:
• Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAC65NO/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
• Cork Dork: A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste: https://www.amazon.com/Cork-Dork-Wine-Fueled-Sommeliers-Scientists-ebook/dp/B01KGZVT62/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11CN8VCXOTWZ8&dchild=1&keywords=cork+dork&qid=1614016635&s=digital-text&sprefix=cork+dor%2Cdigital-text%2C171&sr=1-1
• On Thinking Institutionally: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Institutionally-Politics-Hugh-Heclo/dp/0199946000/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6CN4JFNZXIMX&dchild=1&keywords=on+thinking+institutionally&qid=1614016701&s=digital-text&sprefix=on+thinking+i%2Cdigital-text%2C164&sr=1-1
• website: https://www.hollymulcahy.com

An interview with Meredith Snow, violist in the Los Angeles Philharmonic and chair of ICSOM (International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians). We discuss the LA Phil's ascendancy and cultural impact, the changing priorities of classical music institutions, and the importance of organized labor.

Highlights

• Success and economic prosperity - 7:15
• We have to revitalize ourselves - 14:49
• Have real-measuring impact - 15:54
• Teaching teachers how to teach - 17:07
• We have to diversify the music we play - 22:32
• Being better musicians - 25:01
• Change your mind - 31:39
• Institutions will need to change themselves - 37:45
• Perfecting the process of auditioning - 48:12
• The benefits of flexibility - 50:51
• What does our community really want - 57:57
• Taking a leadership role - 1:08:43
• Our business has to change - 1:13:13

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Connect with Meredith Snow:
• Bio: https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/artists/4933/meredith-snow
• LA Phil: https://www.laphil.com
• ICSOM: https://www.icsom.org
• Mistrust: Why Losing Faith in Institutions Provides the Tools to Transform Them; by Ethan Zuckerman-- https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324002604

An interview with harpist, singer, songwriter, and Rochester, NY native, Mikaela Davis. We discuss her unconventional path from the Crane School of Music to writing, recording, and touring her own music. Mikaela has had rich experiences in many facets of music-making and the music business. She's an inspiring artist to listen to and learn from.

Highlights

• Lives of working musicians in the 21st century - 6:38
• Developing her ear - 7:41
• The signing in her teenage years - 10:20
• Wanting to have a degree - 12.34
• A huge agency that wanted to sign her - 13:17
• An extremely stressful experience - 16:14
• The biggest thing she had learned - 18:43
• Never playing the same set twice in a row - 20:58
• Nerves before taking the stage - 25:51
• Being a band leader is interesting - 29:23
• Loving New York City - 33:56
• Her childhood in Rochester - 36:16
• Everyone supports each other in Rochester - 39:12
• Her experience during the pandemic - 43:13
• Everyone should have a home studio - 45:00
• Being in total control of her intellectual property - 51:44
• Her relationship with streaming services in general - 52:40
• Her recommendations - 57:19

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Virginia Postrel: "The Future and Its Enemies": https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684862697/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=libcurrents-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0684862697&linkId=80041dacbb72c664b3422edf611af196
• Connect with Mikaela Davis:
• Website: https://www.mikaeladavis.com
• Mikaela's Recommendations:
• Joanna Sternberg: "Then I Try Some More": https://joannasternberg.bandcamp.com/album/then-i-try-some-more
• Connie Converse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTfetwSSsIE
• Dorothy Ashby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8zPorum2p0
• Alice Coltrane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUMuDWDVd20
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind:
• Film: https://www.focusfeatures.com/eternal_sunshine_of_the_spotless_mind
• Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlSbT5XODiE&list=PL221E0226B8DE9B6D

This episode features a conversation with violinist Sarah Whitney. Sarah has appeared on stages worldwide as a soloist and collaborative artist. We discuss her career with the acclaimed ensemble Sybarite5, her concert series Beyond the Notes, and her coaching practice and blog, The Productive Musician.

"Marvelous violin acrobatics" - The Washington Post

Highlights

• The music industry has been hit hard - 7:23
• Brainstorming about what to do during the pandemic - 7:52
• Keeping the conversations about music - 9:04
• Being a violinist - 11:55
• Being in a band - 16:44
• People asking for recommendations - 20.47
• Their home in New York - 23:12
• Benefits for a musicians in New York City - 25:26
• New York is an extremely resilient city - 27:38
• What may change is the music industry - 29:03
• Scaling vs. growth - 31:20
• Coming back to, "why we do this" - 33:04
• Benefits of having competition - 35:56
• Being a life-long learner - 37:56
• Self-curiosity - 40:21
• Showing musicians what's possible - 42:42
• Being hunger to learn - 47:46
• People are curious about stories - 48:13
• Building her musicians' coaching business - 49:56
• How to create a career with much joy - 50:48
• Standing for being real - 52:28

Episode Resources

• Download Sarah's free guide "4 Steps to Break Through Imposter Syndrome":
• https://mailchi.mp/caaa14fc42d7/imposter-syndrome?fbclid=IwAR0vc-yJCPKcgdlSby8u-BlUmwyn0jCRVUyC4Zdrt9M1tti8OsaJsVyixBc
• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Photo credits: Jaka Vinsek & Helen McCauley
• William Robin's PhD Dissertation "A Scene Without a Name: Indie Classical and American New Music in the Twenty First Century": https://www.dropbox.com/s/m2y0owapictpkwi/William%20Robin%2C%20PhD%20dissertation.pdf?dl=0
• Connect with Sara Whitney
• Website: www.sarahwhitney.com
• Productive Musician Blog: www.theproductivemusician.com
• Book a free discover call with Sarah: https://calendly.com/theproductivemusician/1-1-with-sarah
• Beyond the Notes Concert series: www.gobeyondthenotes.com
• Sybarite5: www.sybarite5.org

An interview with Dr. Lisa Brooks, Dean of the Jordan College of the Arts and Professor of Violin at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lisa is an active performer and is the principal second violin of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. We discuss her views on Butler's role in the community, turning student artists into good citizens, reforming curriculum in a large institution, and her own journey as a player and a leader.

Highlights

• Dr. Lisa's childhood - 6:56
• Using sports metaphors in her teaching - 11:33
• You have to choose one sport and do it - 12:29
• We need better citizens - 15:55
• The notion of diversity - 19:22
• The dance program - 24:23
• What's the biggest tension? - 25:12
• Getting engaged with the community - 34:32
• A direct impact in the community - 37:23
• Everybody needs to be welcomed - 44:35
• Losing students - 49:22
• Being a teaching artist - 55:45
• Arts integration - 56:16
• Having an academic spirit - 1:01:23
• The stronger characteristic of this job - 1:04:12
• Dr. Lisa's recommendations - 1:07:20

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• Performing Labor's music: http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Writing mentioned in the intro:
• Washington Examiner: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/for-tens-of-thousands-trump-was-just-something-to-believe-in
• "On Thinking Institutionally" by Hugh Hello: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Institutionally-Politics-Hugh-Heclo/dp/0199946000
• "These Truths" by Jill Lepore: https://www.amazon.com/These-Truths-History-United-States-ebook/dp/B07BLKWBYT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YHAZNRI4T53D&dchild=1&keywords=these+truths+jill+lepore&qid=1610147660&s=books&sprefix=these+tr%2Cstripbooks%2C166&sr=1-1
• Connect with Dr. Lisa Brooks:
• Lisa's bio: https://www.butler.edu/directory/user/lbrooks
• Butler University Jordan College of the Arts: https://www.butler.edu/jca
• Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra: https://www.icomusic.org
• Lisa's Recommendation:
• The Departed: https://decider.com/movie/the-departed/
• Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TSDI0E/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
• Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland: https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Whiteness-Politics-Resentment-Heartland-ebook/dp/B07F669F71/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZU8DS3H7GERY&dchild=1&keywords=dying+of+whiteness&qid=1610147403&s=digital-text&sprefix=dying+of+wh%2Cdigital-text%2C178&sr=1-1
• The Queen's Gambit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDrieqwSdgI

An interview with Alanna Tonetti-Tieppo, the sub-principal second violin of the Royal Northern Sinfonia in England. Before earning her current position in the Sinfonia, the Massachusetts native attended college in London and won awards with the Jubilee String Quartet. We discuss her education, auditions, and her professional philosophy and approach.

Highlights

• What movement requires - 5:09
• Her love for music - 7:31
• What a good sound is - 11:37
• Work hard and do your best - 14:12
• How she got started - 16:48
• Attention to details - 21:00
• The repertoire attracted her - 24:58
• Having an amazing coach - 30:15
• Not being an impulsive person - 32:16
• Being a total perfectionist - 35:33
• Do your best and try your best - 38:08
• Who helped her with sound production and intonation - 40:37
• Her orchestra's activities during the health crisis - 49:12
• How the job can be different when we come back - 53:16
• Music is necessary for our soul and well-being - 54:44

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• Connect with Alanna Tonetti-Tieppo:
• Alanna performing with the Jubilee String Quartet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsoJhZbbBEE
• Royal Northern Sinfonia: https://sagegateshead.com/royal-northern-sinfonia-alanna-tonetti-tieppo/
• Alanna's recommendations:
• Metropolis (movie): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvtWDIZtrAE
• "Natives" by Akala: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Natives-Class-Empire-Sunday-Bestseller/dp/1473661218
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Agents of Change: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NYHXOK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

An interview with guitarist and educator Craig Wagner from Louisville, KY. A virtuoso jazz guitarist, Craig also regularly plays as a soloist with major symphony orchestras and has toured and recorded with the platinum-selling rock band Days of the New.

Highlights

• Craig's unique technique - 11:48
• Improvisation and playing - 14:15
• How you can improvise - 21:04
• Rock music and Pop music - 22:27
• Craig's College experience - 29:19
• Learning with imitation at first - 30:57
• Trying to avoid things - 34:48
• Listening to it over and over again - 40:59
• How the pandemic has affected his teaching - 41:57
• The nature of music - 43:06
• Years of training for a five-minute audition - 47:06
• Guitar heroes that inspired him - 48:47
• Craig's life - 52:22
• Being a solo player - 53:07
• Different versions of similar repertoires - 59:49
• His experience playing at orchestras - 1:03:37
• A big learning experience for him - 1:08:21
• Finding a way to approach music - 1:12:31
• Having an amazing trajectory - 1:15:04
• Barriers between two sides of thinking - 1:16:49

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/simondsviolin/?hl=en
• https://twitter.com/simondsviolin?lang=en
• Connect with Craig Wagner
• https://www.facebook.com/craigwagnerguitar
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• The Craig Wagner Trio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5qG2Tzu9k8&t=532s
• Craig's "Autumn Leaves" solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep15H1X321s
• Craig with Carly Johnson live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX9ItvRGeU8
• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized: https://www.amazon.com/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World/dp/0735214484

An interview with conductor, clarinetist, pianist, improviser, composer, and my former boss, Teddy Abrams, music director of the Louisville Orchestra and the Britt Festival in Oregon. We discuss the roots of his eclecticism, his vision for the future of orchestras, and how music can be a driving force for positive change in a community.

Highlights

• Teddy's background - 8:29
• Listening to music at home - 9:05
• His awakening - 11:26
• Learning about composers - 14:51
• How he became a Jazz pianist - 18:20
• Learning so much - 26:46
• The DNA of an orchestra - 29:06
• We should all be learning - 30:34
• Activating our individuality - 31:33
• How people experience music - 42:58
• Being the creative people for your organization - 49:51
• Conservatories and audition process - 52:06
• Playing an invisible game - 59:20
• Training for musicians - 1:10:19
• Accessibility to our music - 1:19:54
• One of his favorite experiences during the pandemic - 1:21:00
• Talking about religion and journalism - 1:31:56
• Creating a culture that retains talent - 1:44:03
• We should have an aspiration of greatness - 1:45:42
• An idea of what an orchestra is - 1:49:48
• Music brings people together - 1:51:50

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Connect with Teddy Abrams
• https://www.teddyabrams.com
• https://twitter.com/teddyconducts?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• https://www.instagram.com/teddyconducts/?hl=en
• https://www.facebook.com/teddyconducts
• Teddy, Jim James, and LO musicians on The Tonight Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFYutf2VSqI
• "Excellence: Can We Be Equal And Excellent Too?" by John W. Gardner: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XG5CDZF/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1