Battle Ready: Seattle Opera

"On August 3, 2010, at Seattle Opera's annual meeting, I addressed the state of one of Seattle's leading cultural organizations in the wake of an economic crisis that has put many non-profit organizations out of business and seriously threatens many more. But economics isn't our only enemy. I share excerpts from my speech in honor of all the people who dedicate their lives to mission-driven organizations and continue to envision a future that is as bright as the fight we lend to the cause."

For the full story, please see Redroom.com.

Bellevue Philharmonic fights through tough times with optimism, hard work

"Just last year, the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra's very survival appeared at risk.

The orchestra had barely made it through its 2008-09 season, which was marred by canceled concerts, unpaid debt and tension between orchestra members and its management."

For the full story, please see the Seattle Times.

Music fails to chime with Islamic values, says Iran's supreme leader

"Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said today that music is "not compatible" with the values of the Islamic republic, and should not be practised or taught in the country."

For the full story, please see The Guardian.

Long-running Experience Music Project pop music conference relocating from Seattle to Los Angeles

"The annual Experience Music Project Pop Conference, which gathers critics, journalists and academics for a weekend of presentations on the vast diaspora of music, is relocating from its longtime home at the Experience Music Project in Seattle to the UCLA campus, conference organizers announced this morning. The event, which issues a call each year for papers based around an organizing theme, will take place February 24-27, according to the press release, and will have as its theme, "Cash Rules Everything Around Me: Music and Money.""

For the full story, please see the Los Angeles Times.

UW faculty members find passion in music outside academics

"Analyzing protein biochemistry and playing clarinet at local gigs — all in a day’s time — is easy as 1-2-3 if you’re Jesse Canterbury...Professor Emeritus Stuart Dempster focuses most of his energy on musical pursuits while continuing to teach part time at the UW."

For the full story, please see the UW Daily.

Seattle conductor killed in Methow Valley crash

"George Shangrow, a longtime Seattle classical-music conductor, teacher and radio host, was killed Saturday evening in a head-on collision outside of Winthrop, Okanogan County."

For the full story, please see the Seattle Times. See also, The Gathering Note.

Mitch Miller Dies

"Mitch Miller, the goateed orchestra leader who asked Americans to "Sing Along With Mitch" on television and records and produced hits for Tony Bennett, Patti Page and other performers, has died at age 99."

For the full story, please see Musical America.