Symphonie Addictique?
Normal Lebrecht recently linked to an article about a British documentary on addiction amongst orchestral musicians: Addiction is blighting the lives of many classical musicians as they grapple with...
View ArticleAlice Brandfonbrener, M.D.
I recently learned that Alice Brandfonbrener passed away on May 31 of this year (2014). I was deeply saddened to learn this, as I’m certain were many, many other musicians and members of the arts...
View ArticleTinnitus: When There’s Humming in Your Head and It Won’t Go Away
Here’s an interesting article from the International Musician, the monthly official journal of the American Federation of Musicians, (A.K.A. the union). We’re in a profession that subjects us to loud...
View ArticleLooking for Perfection in an Imperfect Process
We recognize that the use of beta-blockers by musicians is a serious and controversial topic. Nonetheless, we feel it is better to discuss it than to pretend that it doesn’t exist. We neither condone...
View ArticleAlice Brandfonbrener’s Memorial Service
Laura Ross, Secretary of ICSOM, sent the following notice: Dr. Alice Brandfonbrener, a pioneer in the field of music medicine, died in May. I have just received notice of the location and time of her...
View ArticlePolly Kahn Describes Community Outreach
Polly Kahn recently stepped down from her position as Vice President and Leadership Development at the League of American Orchestras after 14 years of devoted service. (She hasn’t left the orchestra...
View ArticlePlaying for Alzheimer’s Patients
I’m playing in the “Symphony in the Schools” program this year with the Hartford Symphony, and we recently had several professional days where each of the seven ensembles performed for the others. We...
View ArticleMemory is the first thing to go, and musicians remember what the second thing...
Your mileage may vary, of course: …For those of us who don’t have the time nor will to train, it turns out our job choice might play a part in our ability to remember. A new study in Neurology looked...
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Chicago Symphony Violinist Overcomes Vision Problem
Alison Dalton at her solo recital this summer, accompanied by Eugenia Cheng, a math lecturer at the Univ. of Chicago. Photo Credit: Hannah Edgar/The Chicago Maroon I saw an article on a colleague’s...
View ArticleOrchestral Getty Grants: The Community Work of Four Orchestras
The summer issue of Symphony magazine had an article by Michael Stugrin about the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation’s Education and Community Envestment grants, awarded to 22 orchestras in 2014-15. The...
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