Rick Robinson writes:
January 24, 2017
Hello Friend,
Well, it's been a full five years since I quit my DSO position
to take CutTime® further along the evolutionary path of sharing the
power and joys of classical and esp. symphonic music with broader
communities across the nation. (It's been 22 years since I first
started.) By many measures I have failed-- not completely, but failed
nonetheless-- to draw support beyond the Knight Foundation project
that ended last February. Nearly every single application last year for
a fellowship, grant, showcase, partnership, donor, sponsorship, and
composer readings, was rejected. And recordings are not the golden path
they used to be.
On the other hand, CutTime has made incredible artistic progress, exposing untold thousands of non-traditional listeners to classical and many hundreds of young musicians to methods of how to refresh classical as fun and entertaining experiences. Given the political upheaval in Washington, I believe these methods will prove increasingly useful across the country.
It has always been the right thing to do, to make very accessible through words and actions the beauty, power and wisdom of this unique European instrumental tradition, and esp. the great masterpieces that belong to all humanity as part of the public domain. CutTime has been a users manual: a practical guide to immediate connection.
Dan Winnick, Leslie DeShazor, Rick, Mike List, Molly Hughes
It
goes without saying that such work, as unpopular as it still is both
within and outside the fine arts worlds, would not be possible without
financial support. But it IS necessary work. And through fiscal agency
such as Fractured Atlas provides and The Miami Foundation provided, we've raised $78,000.
So I want to thank all of our donors by doing good work, and to praise James B. Nicholson and Barbara VanDusen for sticking with us when the ice looked thinnest. Without true believers with some deep pockets, the work of real change doesn't happen. I'm still in a position to develop New Classical as a positive change agent... but only until my back gives out.
That said, we have two Detroit concerts this week for you:
- Th. Jan. 26 7:30 Amadeus a Go Go in Lake Orion, MI
- Su. Jan. 29 3p Mozart Turns Into a Bar in Commerce Twp, MI
In recent news Simfonica played well for 2600 at TEDx Detroit in October (pictured top) and are still waiting for the promised video. In November Simfonica played for the reintroduction of the beautiful Fisher Building lobby in Detroit (pictured below). In December CutTime Players inspired both the Rocky River
community outside Cleveland, as well as the local musicians we hired to
play it! We were immediately re-engaged for August 17 and each musician
hoped to be available.
Going
forward I will continue to push for all of the above, sub into
orchestras to get by, and network for collaborative partnerships,
including millennial musicians. But this year, I will concentrate more
locally, compose new works without commission, and even look for a
part-time position. We'll also revive the Classical Revolution Detroit series with volunteer musicians on a bi-monthly basis.
Keep an eye out for sudden additions and please continue to contribute to its success with your presence, referrals & dollars
because EVERYONE deserves classical music!
- Rick Robinson (Mr. CutTime)
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Comment by email:
Thanks again Bill! Happy New Year. -Rick Robinson
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