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Soundcheck

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
  • Riccardo Muti
    Riccardo Muti (POOL/AFP/Getty Images)

    Wanted: Arts Leader with Experience - Or Youth?

    Some orchestras, theaters and museums select their leaders with a bias towards elder statesmen. Others find better chemistry with young blood. In the wake of the Chicago Symphony's recent hiring of 66-year-old Riccardo Muti as its next music director, we debate whether veterans or rookies can lead the arts into the future. Also on the show: Live music from Pacha Massive, a Bronx-based duo of Dominican-born writer/producer Nova and Columbian-born bassist Maya.

    Poll: How do you get your music fix?: Tell us how you spend your money on songs, albums and concerts in a Soundcheck poll.

In the Arts it's Rookies versus Veterans

If it's too loud, you're too old. That's the old rock ‘n’ roll saying. But many believe veteran experience counts in running arts organizations. Others say fresh blood is needed at a time when the arts need to reach younger audiences. In this week's "Soundcheck Smackdown," Lee Rosenbaum, a veteran cultural journalist who blogs for Artsjournal.com; and Barry Hessenius, author of the study "Involving Youth in Nonprofit Arts Organizations," square off on the topic.

Tell us: Which quality is more important for the leader of an arts organization: youth or experience? Why?

Our blog: John on arts-world vets and rookies.

Study: Involving Youth in Nonprofit Arts Organizations
Lee Rosenbaum's Culturegrrl Blog

Pacha Massive

Bronx-based duo Pacha Massive always navigates the American and Latin worlds. The band is made of a Dominican multi-instrumentalist, Ramon Nova, and a bassist from Washington Heights, Maya Martinez. The editors at Apple's iTunes named them 2007's best new Latin artist and songs from their debut album have been featured both on NBC’s "Las Vegas" and in a Mexican film. They join us with a live performance.

Pacha Massive's MySpace page

Introducing our Video Contest

Soundcheck

John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.

In Studio: Angel Deradoorian

Soundcheck

The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.

Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico

Soundcheck

Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.

In Studio: Stephanie McKay

Soundcheck

The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.

In Studio: The Decemberists

The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.

Sound Off

Soundcheck

Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.