Granta At 100

“Launched in 1979 under the inspired ‘lunacy’ of Bill Buford, Granta magazine became the home of vital new writing and launched the careers of some of our greatest novelists.” Now the quarterly is celebrating 100 issues, and its rise from student publication to influential literary journal.

Jacksonville Lockout Drags On

It’s been nearly two months since the Jacksonville Symphony management locked out its musicians, and no progress has been made toward a settlement. More worrying, the staredown will likely make it difficult for the JSO to attract new donors and supporters even once the musicians return. And no one seems to agree on what the right recipe for fiscal stability includes.

“Onerous” Quote Reverberates In Jacksonville

Early on in the Jacksonville Symphony lockout, the orchestra’s board chair made an off-the-cuff remark to a reporter: “I really do respect our musicians, but there’s something about a 37-week year and 20 hours a week that doesn’t seem too onerous.” That sound bite has been repeated everywhere in the music world, and for the musicians, has come to symbolize a management mindset completely at odds with orchestral reality.

Jerusalem Symphony Regains Its Footing

The court-appointed receiver whose job it was to steer the cash-strapped Jerusalem Symphony out of a sea of debt has resigned his position, signaling that the JSO is once again able to function on its own. Fiscal challenges will undoubtedly continue, but for an orchestra that faced extinction only a few months ago, the announcement was cause for celebration.