Disney Magic

In preparation for Orchestra Kentucky's Disney in Concert in January, I took my family to Disney World last week. Well, okay, it wasn't to do research. And I'm not going to try to take a tax deduction either. No, the purpose of the trip was simply to have a week of family fun. (I told my kids that they had been there when they were five and seven years old and that they had a great time, but they still wanted to go back.) Any way, in the midst of enduring 95 degree heat and hour-and-a- half lines, something important occurred to me: Disney knows how to make people happy.

Despite the crowds, people were genuinely happy. There are many reasons for that, but one that stuck out for me is Disney's willingness to go the extra mile. Disney could be satisfied with having their guests ride rides and watch concerts and movies. But they don't settle for that. Each evening is capped with a fireworks show and parade. It's like the fourth of July every night. Going to a Disney park is more than simply attending an amusement park. It is attending an event.

Orchestras have a lot to learn from Disney. Our audiences would be a lot happier if we did more than just present concerts. If we went the extra mile and make our concerts events, people would come in droves. But how do we do that?

There are many ways to make the concert experience an event. In addition to music, we can offer visual experiences like films and slides that illustrate the music being performed. We can hold concerts in fun places like ballparks and barns. We can think outside the box. Imagine a concert with comedy as its theme. The orchestra could play Kabalevsky's Comedian's Suite and some PDQ Bach. But think how much more fun the concert would be if a comedian told jokes in between musical selections? Now that would be more than a concert. It would be an event!

Here is a challenge to my conductor colleagues. Tired of diminishing audiences? Worried that audiences are getting grayer? Take a tip from Walt. Make your concerts events. Make them fun.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Last Saturday's July 4th concerts were canceled because of rain for both of my orchestras: Orchestra Kentucky and the Murfreesboro Symphony. I've been told that the Louisville Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, and Owensboro Symphony also canceled. These are the times that try men's souls. Or, to put it another way, these are the things that give us all gray hair.

I don't think people realize how expensive and time consuming an event like the Fourth of July really is for an orchestra. They also don't realize the toll that bad weather takes on the orchestra's staff.

First, in the case of professional orchestras like those mentioned above, musicians must be paid. For part-time orchestras like Orchestra Kentucky, Murfreesboro Symphony, and the Owensboro Symphony, orchestra members must be paid whether the concert occurs or not. Why, you might ask? Because when musicians are hired for an event, they often give up work with another orchestra. It's not their fault that the weather prevents them from playing. They are ready and willing to complete their job. Consequently, the orchestra must fulfill its part of the bargain, or risk losing the best musicians in the future. By the way, orchestras for this type of event cost between $10,000 and $15,000, depending on the rate paid the musicians.

Regarding the time involved in preparing for outdoor concerts like the Fourth of July, orchestra staffs work for months in advance to hire musicians, line up fireworks, complete the necessary permits, rent the facilities, and so forth. The list goes on and on. Also, the days leading up to the concert become even more hectic. Staging must be erected, payrolls must be prepared, tables and chairs are set up, and so on, and so forth.

Adding to the expense of the day are fireworks. Obviously, not just anyone can shoot off fireworks like those seen at a typical orchestra event. A licensed, professional fireworks company must be hired. Depending upon the length of the show and how many shells are put into the air, shows cost about $650 per minute. And, rain or shine, the fireworks company must be paid.

So, $30,000 has been spent, without taking into consideration staging, table and chair rentals, rentals for the grounds, tent rentals, etc. Add it all up and an event like the Fourth of July costs at least $35,000 and up.

I say all of this to stress how important these concerts are for an orchestra. Most orchestras present them as free events, so there is no ticket income to be had. Instead, the orchestra counts on their generous sponsors to help pay the bills and numerous in-kind sponsors who donate products, equipment, etc. Why do orchestras take on such an expensive project, when there is a chance that rain could ruin the day? Because they believe in the power of music.

Music has the ability to bring people together. People of all ages, races, and ethnicities attend July 4th concerts. They all sit together as families, waving flags, and joining in the annual celebration of our nation's birth. It is a time to honor those who serve our country in the Armed Forces. It is a time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country. What better way to do all this than through the music of America? Songs like America, the Beautiful and God Bless, America have the power to reach the head and the heart in a way better than any other music. And, while fireworks are beautiful and awe inspiring, they don't celebrate America like its music.

So, why do we spend so much money and time to present a single concert, when it all can be washed away? Because it is a concert that is just too important not to present. Who, other than a community's orchestra, can better do the job of celebrating Independence Day? No one.