CATS is using a Virtual Orchestra Machine in San Francisco
This Production of CATS uses a Virtual Orchestra Machine
IF IT'S NOT LIVE,
IT'S NOT BROADWAY!
History of CATS Productions in San Francisco
1987 23 Musicians
1991 14 Musicians
1994 14 Musicians
1998 14 Musicians
2001 9 Musicians w/ Virtual Orchestra
2003 9 Musicians w/ Virtual Orchestra
2006 9 Musicians w/ Virtual Orchestra
What is a virtual orchestra machine?
The virtual orchestra machine is a system based on music sequencing, a technology that allows each note and/or element of a piece of music to be broken down into digital data. The VOM can match changing tempo from singers and musicians in real time. The software in the machine can also replace backstage theater hands who are responsible for light and sound, video and other elements linked to a show's music.
The mission of the Live Music Task Force is twofold: To call attention to the enormous decline in the number and visibility of live musical performances; and to educate both consumers and producers about the limitations and consequences of replacing live musicians with technological facsimiles and recordings. The live music experience is among the deepest and most profound to be found in life, and no technology can replace it, whether in the theatre, the nightclub or concert hall. The Live Music Task Force and its sponsors stand together to support every adult and child's need for this experience, as a cultural and educational influence, as a medium of entertainment, and as an integral part of public events and celebrations.
Posted by livemusictaskforce at 11:01 AM
RALLY AT THE PARAMOUNT
Let the world know about the Oakland Ballet's decision to
perform the NUTCRACKER to tape.
Live Music Task Force
Rally at the
Paramount
Theater
2025 Broadway
Oakland, CA
Monday, December 19, 2005
12:30pm - 2:00pm
(prior to the 2:00pm matinee performance)
A Child looks on as the Live Music Task Force Brass Quintet plays excerpts from the Nutcracker at the rally outside of the Paramount Theater.
The Brass quintet plays for the camera.
Live Music Task Force Founder David Schoenbrun
is interviewed by ABC 7's Willie Monroe.
KTVU Channel 2's Gasia Mikaelian gets the story for the 6:00 News.
Live music and live music supporters greeted patrons as they entered the theater.
The Live Music Task Force Banner deserves a picture.
PRESS RELEASE
The Grinch That Stole Live Music
An empty pit.
That's what children will find when they scamper down the aisle to see the musicians and their instruments during the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker. Until recently, the Oakland Ballet advertised they would perform the holiday classic accompanied by the Oakland East Bay Symphony. However, the company has now decided that the Sugar Plum Fairy will dance to tape, depriving their audiences of a valuable live music, cultural, and educational experience.
Ticket prices have not been reduced as a result of this decision.
A rally by the Live Music Task Force will take place on Monday, December 19, from 12:30pm to 2:00pm, at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, prior to the 2:00pm matinee performance of the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker.
The Live Music Task Force, is a San Francisco Bay Area coalition of music business professionals, civic leaders, celebrities, and concerned citizens, who have joined forces to call attention to the enormous decline in the number and visibility of live musical performances; and to educate both consumers and producers about the limitations and consequences of replacing live musicians with technological facsimiles and recordings. The Live Music Task Force champions support for live music as a cultural and educational influence, as a worthwhile medium of entertainment, and as an integral part of public events and celebrations.
###
OAKLAND TRIBUNE
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
December 21, 2005
Dear Editor,
The Live Music Task Force held a rally prior to the Oakland Ballet's December 19th performance of its Nutcracker at the Paramount Theater to let patrons and the community know that the performances were being danced to a tape recording, not live music. What's the difference between a live orchestra, and a tape of an orchestra? Simply put, it's like the difference between hugging your child, and hugging a life size doll of your child.
Ballet, like all cultural experiences, is about human expression--take the people away and you begin a dangerous erosion of the culture. When we see a dancer dance, a singer sing, or a musician playing their instrument, we become active participants. Without live music, how can our kids walk down to the pit and see the musicians, ask them, "What's the name of that instrument?" or feel the excitement build in the hall as the orchestra warms up? A live orchestra lives and breathes with the dancers - a phenomenon that is not lost on the audience. Ballet without live music is second-rate.
We believe the Oakland Ballet has people problems, not money problems. The Executive Director of the Oakland Ballet said in a recent interview that after ten minutes he couldn't tell if there was a live orchestra or not. Ask yourself if this is the sort of cultural leadership we need and deserve.
Sincerely,
Alex Walsh
Live Music Task Force Coordinator
As printed in the Musical News, the official newsletter of Musicians Union Local 6
Live Music Task Force Rally A Success
By Alex Walsh
The purpose of the Live Music Task Force rally on December 19 at the Paramount Theater in Oakland before the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker was to let the world know that the Nutcracker was being danced to tape rather than live music. Given our charge in the LMTF's mission statement, we certainly achieved our stated goal:
To call attention to the enormous decline in the number and visibility of live musical performances; and to educate both consumers and producers about the limitations and consequences of replacing live musicians with technological facsimiles and recordings.
The event brought out at least 40 people, most of them Local 6 members. Both KTVU Channel 2 and KGO Channel 7 were on the scene. A reporter from the East Bay Express was there. We had "Save Live Music", "Live Music is Best", and "Keep Live Music in the Pit" picket signs. The eye catching orange and black Live Music Task Force banner framed the picture nicely. Tony Caviglia led a brass quintet that played Nutcracker excerpts and holiday classics on the sidewalk for the patrons as they arrived.
The day started bright and early with the Local 6 staff and Live Music Task Force volunteers frantically coloring picket signs-12 signs take a lot of time! Reminder faxes were sent to the media, and last minute calls were made to members. With butterflies in our stomachs, we then piled into our cars and headed for the Paramount. The drive over was anticlimactic, and so was parking. Everything seemed too easy. Even the weather was cooperating, no rain.
When the Live Music Task Force banner was unfurled, things started to look good. When we saw the TV trucks, things became promising. But when the brass quintet hit that first note, it all made sense. The reason we were there, Live Music, was in the air. What's so hard to understand? This is it!
During the rally Live Music Task Force volunteers handed out our pamphlet and spoke to willing patrons about our cause, many of whom expressed support. Cars honked as they drove by. The Brass quintet, Tony Caviglia, Lenny Ott, Nicky Roosevelt, Don Benham, and Frank Bunger, drew much attention and applause. Children were transfixed, and so were the TV cameras! Yes, we are now officially media mongers.
But there are two sides to every story, at least, and the media made sure they gave equal coverage to all the players involved. Leading up to the rally, the Oakland Tribune had printed two glowing articles about the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker and mentioned the Live Music Task Force rally only in passing. Thankfully, the TV coverage was much better. The Oakland Ballet spokespeople said they were going through hard times and did not have the money for an orchestra this year. David Schoenbrun, our spokesperson, said, "I can appreciate that. We're not necessarily protesting the Oakland Ballet, but rather calling to the public's attention that this is something that we must be very careful not to devalue in this culture...As we devalue music, we'll see musical education continuing to decline in our schools...Our culture taking a dive. And it's not the Oakland Ballet - I wanna get that point across. It's really the value that people need to place on live music."
We certainly learned something from this first outing - especially the need to clarify our position for the public. While some people didn't approve of our presence, others agreed with us but thought we came across as too self-righteous. They were kind enough to offer valuable constructive criticism for future rallies. Others just didn't get it, especially the executive director of the Oakland Ballet who said on Channel 2 that after 10 minutes he couldn't tell if there was an orchestra playing or not-the show was just that good (I guess he wasn't there for the December 17 matinee when the tape stopped mid-performance - !!!).
The fact that the Oakland Ballet had neglected to tell its audience that they were dancing to tape was explained to TV reporters quite eloquently by outraged patrons. All of this translated into repeated coverage on the evening news for both stations, and a full page article by Rob Harvilla in the East Bay Express music section. Check out the Live Music Task Force website, www.livemusictaskforce.org, for pictures and related information about the event. Thank you to all participants and everyone who expressed their support. See you at the next one!
Special thanks to Rich Welker, proprietor of Bronstein's Music in South San Francisco who donated the Nutcracker Suite arrangements for brass quintet. And thank you to all of the Local 6 Members and Live Music Task Force volunteers who attended the rally:
Yehudit Lieberman
Zach Spellman
Bill Klingelhoffer
Rufus Olivier
Rufus Olivier, Jr.
Don Kennelly
Candy Sanderson
Betsy London
Larry London
Debbie Spangler
Ward Spangler
Ellen Gronningen
Cyrle Perry
Tina Anderson
Paul Rhodes
Pat Klobas
Randy Keith
Kurt Ribak
David Sturdevant
Gordon Messick
Tyler Mack
Allen Biggs
Kathy Marshall
Jo Gray
Tony Caviglia
Lenny Ott
Bill Harvey
Nicky Roosevelt
Don Benham
Frank Bunger
John Hunt
Ann Hunt
Patrick Simms
Alex Walsh
Gretchen Elliott
Melinda Wagner
David Schoenbrun
Tony Orbasido
Jim Wesser & friends
Ramon Lazo
Alex Walsh
Coordinator - Live Music Task Force
Posted by livemusictaskforce at 03:03 PM
LIVE MUSIC TASK FORCE KICK-OFF CONCERT
The LIVE MUSIC TASK FORCE
invites you to a free concert celebration
launching a new campaign to support live music.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2005
NOON TO 4
YERBA BUENA GARDENS
SAN FRANCISCO
(Mission Street between 3rd & 4th)
Featuring
The Fabulous Bud E. Luv Big Band
Bobby Webb and the Smooth Blues Band
Tim Price Jazz Orchestra
Cubanacan
and Special Guests
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy
an afternoon of LIVE MUSIC
and dancing in the sun.
In association with the Market Street Association\People in Plazas, the Music Performance Fund, the Musicians Union Local 6, and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
www.livemusictaskforce.org
Bobby Webb & The Smooth Blues Band Kicked Off The Day
The Tim Price Jazz Orchestra
The Tim Price Jazz Orchestra
Dancers get down.
Alex Walsh (Live Music Task Force Coordinator)
sings a song with the Tim Price Jazz Orchestra
State Assembly Member Mark Leno presented the Live Music Task Force
with this Certificate of Recognition
Patti Carlise from the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services lends her support.
The Fabulous Bud E. Luv
Master of Ceremonies Dick Bright sits in with the Bud E. Luv Big Band
Cubanacan
Cubanacan brings it all back home
The crowd loved it.
See you next year!
PRESS RELEASE
LIVEMUSIC TASK FORCE LAUNCHES WEBSITE & ANNOUNCES FALL
KICK-OFF CONCERT AT YERBA BUENA GARDENS IN SAN FRANCISCO
The Live Music Task Force launches its website www.livemusictaskforce.org, created by YVOD, a Bay Area web and marketing company. The new website highlights the Live Music Task Force Kick-off Concert scheduled for Sunday, October 16, at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.
The Kick-off concert will be an admission-free concert featuring high-profile performers from the Bay Area with national and international reputations. Celebrity MC's/speakers will underscore the value and importance of live music in our culture and daily lives.
The website, currently focused on the October Kick-off concert, will soon have a live music calendar, podcasts, and ways for people to help. The Live Music Task Force plans to mobilize a national campaign based on efforts started in the Bay Area.
"The Live Music experience is among the deepest and most profound to be found in life," says David Schoenbrun, founder of the Live Music Task Force. "No technology can replace it, not in the theater, nightclub, or concert hall. Yet every week we hear of another group opting for technological alternatives - from Disney on Ice, to the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker, to the computerized player piano in the Stanford Court Hotel. The Live Music Task Force supports every adult and child's need for the live musical experience."
David Schoenbrun, President of Musicians Union Local 6, is one of many industry leaders supporting the Live Music Task Force. The organization's newest partner and fiscal sponsor is Meg Madden from Music In Schools Today (M.U.S.T.), an organization which supports, develops and promotes music education for youth. Ten percent of all monies raised by the Live Music Task Force go to support M.U.S.T. programs. The Live Music Task Force steering committee includes Jocelyn Kane, San Francisco Entertainment Commission, Marshall Lamm, Yoshi's, Jacqui Naylor, Singer, YVOD Marketing Director, Merl Saunders Jr., Executive Director of the San Francisco Chapter of NARAS (The Grammy's), Patrick Simms, ICAN Gallery, Lynne Valente, Market Street Association, Melinda Wagner, Musical Fund Society, and Alex Walsh, Musicians Union Local 6, Live Music Task Force Coordinator.
For more info please visit www.livemusictaskforce.org, or call: (415) 575-0777 ext. 308.
###
As Printed in the Musical News, the official newsletter of Musicians Union Local 6
Live Music Task Force Kick-off Concert a Smashing Success
By Alex Walsh
The Live Music Task Force Kick-off Concert on Sunday, October 18, at Yerba Buena Gardens, was a HUGE success. "The weather was great, the crowd was great, and the music was great," said Scott Kessler, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival staff member. Four great bands performed, Bobby Webb & the Smooth Blues, the Tim Price Jazz Orchestra, the Bud E. Luv Big Band, and Cubanacan. The effervescent Dick Bright was the Master of Ceremonies.
The day started bright and early as the stage crew headed by Larry Walker and Michael Hatfield began unloading and setting up the backline gear. A 'backline' is the name for the equipment that all of the bands will use in common, such as a drum kit, amplifiers, music stands, etc., rather than each group bringing their own. This saves transition time between bands and makes it easier on the musicians. As the stage was being set, with the help of local 6 volunteers and staff, refreshments were placed in the green room, Live Music Task Force name badges were handed out, and the information and t-shirt sales table was set-up. By noon the sun was out and the morning dew on the grass had evaporated. Showtime!
The Man himself, Bobby Webb, started us off at 12:00pm noon with his Smooth Blues Band. The crowd, which grew steadily throughout his set, loved it. Bobby sang and played saxophone, even playing two saxophones at once during a tune, while his band ripped the place up behind him. Bobby's guitar player got so excited he broke his strap - then borrowed mine and broke it too - I'm still waiting for that replacement! (I'm serious)
After Bobby's set, Meg Madden from MuST (Music in Schools Today), the Live Music Task Force fiscal sponsor, spoke briefly about the importance of music education and about the need for campaigns like the Live Music Task Force. Jazz singer and Live Music Task Force Steering Committee Member Jacqui Naylor also said how honored she was to be working with us and our cause. To fill up time (and to avoid playing taped music as much as possible) I then took out my acoustic guitar (sans strap, so I had to sit down) and started playing a Bo Diddley inspired original "Love From Outerspace". To my surprise the Tim Price Jazz Orchestra joined in (a thrill for me as it was the first time I've been backed up by a 17 piece orchestra—Las Vegas here I come). By this time the sun was HOT, but Tim Price kept things cool with crowd pleasers like the theme from the Pink Panther. The audience was intrigued, I think, because how often does the average person hear a live 17 piece band? Not very often. This of course was our point.
During the second break, California State Assembly Member Mark Leno presented the Live Music Task Force with a Certificate of Recognition that reads:
"Congratulations on the occasion of launching the Live Music Task Force. Live music adds immeasurable value to our culture and our daily lives. I commend your commitment to preserving the tradition of live music and your dedication to starting a national campaign to advocate for it. Congratulations and thank you for all that you are doing!" - Mark Leno, Assemblyman, 13th District, October 16, 2005
David Schoenbrun, founder of the Live Music Task Force, received the award on our behalf. Patti Carlise from the San Francisco Mayor's office also gave her support to the Live Music Task Force and spoke briefly about the Mayor's plans. And then, as if transported by some strange mixed cocktail drink of unknown origin, our collective lounge lizard dreams came true as the Bud E. Luv Big Band featuring the fabulous Bud E. Luv slithered onto the stage. How can I describe what I saw? Titillating, entertaining, thought provoking. "Made me weep," said one full grown man in the audience. "I cried," his wife chimed in. "There are children in this audience, what were you people thinking?" sneered one observer. "Make it stop." said another. "I like it," said the man with the bad tupee. But seriously, all kidding aside, Bud E. Luv ROCKED.
For the last set break, with the sun still blazing and no wind in sight, Local 6 President and Live Music Task Force Founder David Schoenbrun stormed the stage. He discussed, among other things, the threat of the Virtual Orchestra and its possible impact on the "live" part of "live musical theater". He also thanked everyone involved with the effort of putting the concert together. Lynn Valente, director of the Market Street Association's People in Plazas Program which helped fund the concert, and a Live Music Task Force Steering Committee Member, shared her experience running her noontime concert series. "Audiences are always so appreciative of live music", she said,"and oftentimes realize that it's been years since they've seen it." She also acknowledged David's role as the founder of the organization and my role as the coordinator of the show (thanks Lynn).
By this time we all realized that the weather was not going to turn sour on us. After a few minutes of taped music the high energy latin group Cubanacan took the stage and brought us home dancing. The music lasted until about 4:15pm, Lynn Valente said final thank you's and goodbyes, and then it was over. People lingered on the grass as we began the break-down and clean-up process, which was relatively quick and painless. After all was said and done, the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival invited the Live Music Task Force back for next year.
Thank you to our dedicated Local 6 volunteer staff for making the day run so smoothly, and double thank you's to Don and Alice Kennelly who spent many hours on the phone contacting and coordinating our volunteers. We also thank Michael Hatfield and Larry Walker for providing the backline for the show, and to Larry for handling stage manager duties. As a kick-off concert for our campaign, the day was a true success. The Live Music Task Force is now officially on the map, and we have many ideas for gaining the media attention we need to get the message out that live music needs our support. Go see live music!
Local 6 Volunteers:
Terry Adams
Brook Aird
Wayne Allen
Dana Bauer
Chuck Bennett
Diana Dorman
Gretchen Elliott
John Groves
Steve Hanson
Katie Johnk
Alice Kennelly
Don Kennelly
Pat Kroboth
Yehudit Lieberman
Amy Likar
Larry London
Steve Meicke
Cyrle Perry
Eric Thompson
Jim Schallenberger
Daryl Schilling
Juan Vega
Posted by livemusictaskforce at 03:26 PM
