"So, do you play piano??"

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked this question in the short time I've been here at Aspen. Most students assume that since I'm not carrying an instrument case, my backpack must contain piano music.

"Well, yes, I do play piano, and my major in college was flute, but that's not why I'm here." (I get many confused looks with this response.)

"So what are you doing here??"

"I'm managing the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen (AACA) Orchestra this summer."

"What?!?"

It's amazing to me the number of people who don't know/understand the concept of orchestra management. I most willingly explain and answer questions to anyone asking. Honestly, I don't blame them for not knowing - I, too, had no idea of what orchestra management really was, and simply took for granted always being able to play an orchestra rehearsal or concert at the drop of a hat. Only when I went to college did I become intrigued and fascinated with the management side of music, thus leading me to where I am today.

So, the question still remains: what do I do as the AACA Orchestra Manager? Many of the key nuts and bolts of the festival orchestras were put in place prior to our arrival. However, let me provide you with two categories of what I do here at Aspen: one category of orchestra manager duties (many of which my fellow Fellows also encounter with their respective orchestras), and one of my manager duties specific to the AACA Orchestra.

Orchestra Manager duties:

• act as personnel manager by keeping attendance records and securing subs/extras as needed
• gather concert seating assignments from faculty, and post as rosters for students
• provide weekly schedules for the orchestra
• create rehearsal orders for concert rehearsals
• work with the library for all music needs
• work with the tech crew to make certain all rooms are set up for each service
• work with the stage crew to make certain the stage is set for the dress rehearsal and concert
• work with the artist services department to coordinate a guest's schedule with the orchestra they are working with
• work with the program staff to create weekly printed programs
• oversee the entire concert production, putting out any last-minute fires (I forgot my tie!)
• other duties as assigned (like co-managing the 4th of July band with Marc!)

AACA Orchestra Manager duties:

• arrange score studies, technique checks, and video review sessions for the conductors
• gather repertoire reading seating assignments from faculty, and post as rosters for students
• create rehearsal orders for the repertoire reading sessions
• create weekly schedules for the conductors of all the other orchestras' rehearsals/concerts that they need to attend
• work with Maestro David Zinman and Maestro Murry Sidlin to determine the repertoire for the repertoire reading and technique check sessions
• work with Maestro Zinman and Maestro Sidlin to determine which conductors will conduct a certain piece or movement for concerts and repertoire reading sessions
• keep a running record of each conductors podium time, as well as the number of pieces each has conducted

In a nutshell, that's what I manage weekly in Aspen (with the help of Beth Boleyn, a second-year AACA Assistant Manager – a wonderful resource to have here!). My work with AACA is challenging, yet incredibly rewarding. I'm surrounded by a group of wonderful musicians and conductors, and being able to manage all of these details seamlessly so-as each colleague can focus solely on playing or conducting, who in turn collectively presents a wonderful concert for the audience, is quite a reward.

As I just finished hearing Dvořák's 9th Symphony in our second concert this summer, I'm reminded how great it is to be here each day. There's always wonderful music anywhere I turn, and stepping outside of the music to view the snow-capped mountains reminds me of the absolute beauty of nature. Managing the AACA orchestra is a fabulous experience, and I'm thrilled to be starting this yearlong journey here in Aspen.