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Soundcheck

Wednesday, November 05, 2008
  • leader

    What's in an Arts Leader?

    As Barack Obama prepares his White House transition team, today we look at what makes a great arts leader. A trio of experts weighs in, including New York Times music critic Jon Pareles, Manhattan School of Music president and composer Robert Sirota, and Joan Jeffri, director of the Program in Arts Administration at Columbia's Teachers College. Also: Alan Gilbert, the New York Philharmonic's music-director-in-waiting, talks about the unique leadership challenges in a changing climate for American orchestras.

Taking the Reins

Now that Americans have chosen Barack Obama as their next president, questions of leadership priorities and style are front and center. Arts organizations face their own set of challenges in a changing cultural landscape. Today we ask a trio of experts about what makes a qualified arts leader in the 21st century. Joining us is New York Times music critic Jon Pareles, Manhattan School of Music president and composer Robert Sirota, and Joan Jeffri, director of the Program in Arts Administration at Columbia University's Teachers College.

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on what arts leaders can learn from the Obama campaign

Alan Gilbert

Alan Gilbert's Philharmonic

As the fall's Bernstein festivities reach their climax, who stands to inherit the great maestro's mantle? The New York Philharmonic is banking on Alan Gilbert, the 41-year-old American conductor who becomes its music director next fall. Gilbert joins us to talk about his role as a leader, his plans for the orchestra and about the challenge of bringing classical music to new audiences.

Alan Gilbert conducts the New York Philharmonic in an all-Bernstein program at Carnegie Hall, Nov. 14

Alan Gilbert bio: New York Philharmonic

Introducing our Video Contest

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

In Studio: Angel Deradoorian

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

Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico

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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

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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

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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.