While Other Orchestras Struggle, Milwaukee Gets It Right

Stories appear on a seemingly daily basis telling of struggles in arts organizations the world over.  One orchestra, however, has demonstrated that it doesn't have to be that way. The Milwaukee Symphony just issued a news release stating that they have not only finished the 2012 fiscal year with a balanced budget, but have eliminated accumulated debt. Edo deWaart, who just conducted the season-opening performance by the Milwaukee Symphony, has been introduced as its Music Director designate.  Along with that, they appointed Mark Niehaus, who has been the principal trumpet of the MSO since 1998, as the MSO’s new president and executive director. Read MSO Ends Fiscal Year 2012 With Balanced Budget (MSO.org) You know who they are...the people in the audience who can't even let the last notes fade into silence before pounding their hands together, yelling "BRAVO" at the top of their lungs, or both. Future Shorts, which focuses on short films,  calls itself "the world's biggest pop-up film festival."  The Clap, which won numerous awards awhile back, is a humorous look at those afflicted with the "first clap" gene. As new performance seasons begin across the country, here's a funny look at the relationship between audience and performer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsWuH0-Q8UU