Inevitably several people ask me each summer if I actually work “off season,” meaning September through mid June.  I used to get a little irritated by such questions.  Of course, I would think, how do you expect us to raise money, plan programs, select artists, work on special collaborations, organize community engagement programs, develop marketing plans, administer orchestra and chorus auditions, and do research for recordings? 

My “smart alec-y” pat answer used to be that no, we actually just sit around visiting, drinking lots of coffee, eating bon bons and taking long, long vacations.  Being sarcastic always gets me into trouble, so now I answer without attitude.

The short answer is that off season, we do lots of planning.  September is usually spent tying up loose ends from the summer, catching up on correspondence (LOTS of thank you notes) and cleaning off my desk.  I also try to wait a few weeks before taking a vacation, since it usually takes me time to emerge from the zombie like state I find my self in by the end of August.  I have found over the years that it’s better to decompress at my desk before leaving town.

By the end of September the staff members have completed their season end reports, and we have begun a fairly extensive internal evaluation process.  I love this exercise because everyone on staff has the opportunity to weigh in on every area.  Even the interns assessed us before leaving and we take their comments very seriously.

Artistic planning with Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar, Chorus Director Christopher Bell, guest conductors and collaborating organizations is an ongoing process, and by October we generally have more than a draft outline of what we want to program the following summer.

Here is just a sampling (by no means complete) of how I have been filling each day lately:

September 19:
8:00 a.m.   Grant Park Orchestral Association board meeting
10:00 a.m.   Meeting to discuss 75th anniversary (2009) commissioning project
 2:00 p.m.  CD listening session

October 3:  
8:30 a.m. Meeting with colleague from Department of Cultural Affairs to discuss potential concert collaborations
12 noon  Lunch with local arts critic
3:00 p.m. Meeting at Millennium Park to discuss a potential film and orchestra project

October 4:
10:00 a.m. Staff meeting
11:00 a.m. Chicagoclassicalmusic.org online chat with Jane Glover
12:30 p.m. Part 2 Meeting with colleague from Department of Cultural Affairs to discuss potential concert collaborations
2:00 p.m.  Staff development discussion about NEA grants

So, as you see, I “do” a lot of meetings to propel my organization along.  Every day and week is different and I usually find myself working two weeks to three years out, depending on the project or crisis that crosses my desk.  The work is always interesting, challenging and extremely rewarding.