Dear Danny and all,
I want to apologize for my recent comments in this discussion. It was
my intention to shed positive light on what is often seen as a taboo
topic in a constructive way. Instead, the discourse devolved in the
opposite direction. In retrospect, I can see that my own comments are
wholly to blame for this.
I believed that the copious unfortunate anecdotes regularly related in
private discussion between numerous fellow freelance artists and myself
were representative of a state of affairs that is self-evident to all.
I appreciate and respect that others hold equally valid views informed
by completely different experiences. As this subject directly effects
my and my family's financial health and future prospects, I
inappropriately projected my own feelings into this dialog.
It was never my intention to accuse you, Danny, nor anyone else, of
misrepresentation. My choice of words was very regrettable and for that
I am especially sorry.
I hope that you will accept my apology and that we may continue to be
friends and artists working in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
Chris
[1]Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
At Feb 26, 2015, 4:36:42 PM, Daniel
Shoskes<'[email protected]'> wrote:Well, I guess that my
ignorance comes across as being disingenuous. People sure seem to
think I know more than I do on this topic. Here's MY administrative
side:
1) Vice President of the Board of Apollo's Fire: the board has no
say in which guest artists are hired. A pretty clear meritocracy
from what I have seen. And of course, merit to be hired for an
ensemble requires skills that go beyond the purely musical (show up
on time, be prepared, work collaboratively with others, etc)
2) Board Member Early Music America: not a presenting group but does
sponsor competitions. I haven't judged them myself but I've also
been very impressed by the winners
3) I set up and funded the Pat O'Brien lectureship for LSA. Based on
who Pat wanted. Purely subjective and not based on any independent
assessment of merit. Tough luck there.
4) Used to be on the Board of LSA. Never had a say in who the
seminar faculty would be (other than the POB lecturer). Not every
single faculty member at every LSA seminar of all time would
necessarily have been my first choice if I was the King of LSA but
certainly most would have been. Of late, every faculty has included
both big names and emerging talent (or at least first time faculty)
So no, I don't know who these organizations are that present solo
lutenists or small ensembles and who seem to be cutting you and Ron
out of your deserved shows and CD contracts for political reasons,
if that's really what all the euphemisms mean. Or faculty
appointments? Board memberships? Spots on the Tonight Show? It is of
course also a business, so a talented "name" that sells out a hall
will always be preferred over a talented newcomer that doesn't pull
in a crowd, but so that has been since the early days.
And also to emphasize, the fact that I don't know who these groups
are doesn't mean that I dismiss the possibility that they are out
there. "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after
you" (Joseph Heller)
Danny
> On Feb 26, 2015, at 1:34 PM, Christopher Wilke
<[2][email protected]> wrote:
>
> Danny,
>
> I must respectfully say that I think you're being disingenuous
here. You've been on the administrative side of things long enough
to know that merit is rarely a prime consideration when it comes to
who and what is promoted by arts organizations. Beyond a certain
level of competency, institutions in a position to help advance
careers frequently anoint "beautiful ones" on the basis of
political, rather than aesthetic criteria. I'm not at all suggesting
that you are personally involved in any of this, but over the years
I have trouble believing you've never witnessed it happening.
>
> Having been a victim of this system myself (repeatedly and much
more frequently lately, it seems), I can totally understand Ron's
reticence in naming names. Even describing scenarios in a general
manner is a great way to lose old friends, make fresh enemies and
work yourself out of work. However, a dismissive, "There's no
Establishment or Conspiracy. You're paranoid," is not an appropriate
response to legitimate issues.
>
> Keeping one's mouth shut and pretending there is no dysfunction in
the early music industry is absolutely unhealthy. We should ALL be
keenly aware of that in the wake of the recent Philip Pickett
scandal. (For those who aren't aware, Pickett was a long time
professor of early music at the Guildhall School of Music who, just
convicted of raping several students, is currently serving an
11-year prison term. Sickeningly, the school administration was
informed of his behavior and responded by telling the students to
simply switch schools.) I'm not suggesting that anyone else is
involved in such horrible activities, but those who use their
influence to squash the deserving deserve to be called out. Many in
high places are long overdue for a harsh dose of karma. I have a
feeling it's finally starting to happen and will be here in force
soon.
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
> Dr. Christopher Wilke D.M.A.
> Lutenist, Guitarist and Composer
> www.christopherwilke.com
>
> --------------------------------------------
> On Wed, 2/25/15, Daniel Shoskes <[3][email protected]> wrote:
>
> Subject: [LUTE] Re: Lute in the Future
> To: "Ron Andrico" <[4][email protected]>
> Cc: "Lute List" <[5][email protected]>
> Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2015, 1:07 PM
>
> Ron: when I read many of your posts,
> I sometimes feel confused and undereducated. You often refer
> to "those people we all know" or "certain groups"
> and I guess I'm not with the "in crowd" because I
> honestly don't know who or what you mean.
>
> So, for the information of me and others like me on the
> outside looking in, what "certain incorporated non-profit
> organizations" are you referring to?
>
> Danny
>
>> On Feb 25, 2015, at 8:15 AM, Ron Andrico
<[6][email protected]>
> wrote:
>>
>> ... but as far as I can see the only
> viable solution in
>> our niche market is to ask our certain
> incorporated non-profit
>> organizations to stop behaving like
> fan clubs and make targeted funds
>> available to energetic and motivated
> artists for recording worthwhile
>> projects - and not with limitations so
> the funds apply only to the
>> select few students of the gatekeepers
> who have been running the racket
>> for far too long.
>>
>
>
>
> To get on or off this list see list information at
> [7]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
>
>
>
References
1. https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS
2. mailto:[email protected]
3. mailto:[email protected]
4. mailto:[email protected]
5. mailto:[email protected]
6. mailto:[email protected]
7. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
