Klarinet Archive - Posting 000008.txt from 2009/12

From: "Benjamin Maas" <benmaas@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Musicians Protest use of canned music...by Texas Ballet Theatre...in the new multi-million dollar Winspear Hall
Date: Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:32:38 -0500

It wasn't the "Virtual Orchestra" but if you remember a couple years back,
the LA Ballet experimented with doing the Nutcracker with half an orchestra
and a midi sequence of the rest of the group. There was an A-list orchestra
in the pit of about 20 players and a computer sending stems and a click
track. It was fully supported by Local 47 in an attempt to get musicians
back in the pit. Even several of the local union higher-ups attended
performances.

It worked out relatively well, although it was one of the most difficult
work experiences I've ever been involved with. Musically, it did better
than it should have- I had audience members coming to the mix position
asking where the rest of the orchestra was. There was a lot of technology
needed, though, to pull it off and there wasn't enough rehearsal time in
many of the venues to make it work.

The rationale presented was issues with small pits and a full orchestra.
After seeing shows cancelled because of a lack of budget and the length of
time it took for folks to get paid, I wonder if that was it...

Now, LA Ballet performs to a CD.

--Ben

Benjamin Maas
Fifth Circle Audio
Long Beach, CA
http://www.fifthcircle.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Vaccaro [mailto:mike@-----.com]
> Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 10:37 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Musicians Protest use of canned music...by Texas
> Ballet Theatre...in the new multi-million dollar Winspear Hall
>
> Lets not forget that the AFM itself allowed the use of Virtual
> Orchestra
> which has displaced many musicians both in theater work and in dance
> companies.
> Something that should certainly be protested by every live musician.
>
> Mike Vaccaro
>

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