Books on the Arts & Community

In the QUADRE office, we have a modest collection of books about the music business. This week I wanted to highlight two excellent books that grace our shelves. They both make great holiday gifts for the neighbor, friend, colleague with everything already.

INVITATION TO THE PARTY
Written by Donna Walker-Kuhne, this delightful text speaks to building bridges to the arts, culture and community. Gregory Mosher of Columbia University and former artistic director of the Lincoln Center Theater writes "it takes more than wonderful artists to make art–it takes wonderful audiences–and Donna Walker-Kuhne knows how to find them. Her strategy isn't 'one free play,' because to her, audience members are more than consumers. They are collaborators in a creative adventure. Her approach–tapping people's spirits and not just their pocketbooks–is genuinely inspiring and long overdue. Use it and you'll never again play for people who are there only because it's the night they have tickets. You deserve better." This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN AN ENSEMBLE
Written by Abram Loft who spent 25 years performing with the Fine Arts Quartet, this book "gives a no-holds-barred account of what life is really like in a chamber music ensemble. This volume provokes thought as much as it entertains, and my copy promises to be the most worn book on my shelf," comments Phillip Ying, violist of the Ying Quartet and vice president of Chamber Music America. I will bring both books to the next board meeting for all of you to take a gander at.