What I Gained From Opera Roanoke

I started my administrative apprenticeship in mid-June with Opera Roanoke in hopes of gaining new experiences, relationships, and ultimately a bachelor degree in music business. Now that it's completed, I thought I would wrap up my blog and give you an overall perspective of my time there.

If you have been reading and keeping up with my posts, I think you already have an idea of what my experiences were like. If you haven't been reading, well, the posts are still there... Anyway, I truly value the skills I obtained at Opera Roanoke. I've talked about them previously, but let's recap, shall we?

From day one, and throughout the two months there, I was organizing. I went through filing cabinets, storage closets, desks, and more closets. Just like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it gets. I organized so much that it inspired me to get myself more organized. Now I make sure everything is in my planner (even during the summer) and in folders (thanks Liz, it really does work).

I learned not too put too many documents in an electric hole punch or a shredder. We've all been there. I think this one is self-explanatory.

I only did a few, but deposits are apart of everyday transactions for a business (we hope) whether it be nonprofit or for-profit. I learned quickly that money isn't deposited without the proper paper trail and records. They have to go through accounting and be filed correctly. Artists and musicians particularly may not realize this, but might need to at some point. This is an example of how an office job isn't as common sense as it may seem.

Spinning wheels. Don't get them wet or feed them after midnight.

At Opera Roanoke, I was able to further my communication skills. Being in meetings and having to carry myself in conversation with patrons and board members challenged me in my abilities. I had good communication skills before I started, but now I have better ones.

Not only did I gain skills for my future, I learned somethings about myself with the help of Liz and Opera Roanoke. I realized what I'm good at, and where my strengths are. I was aware that I'm a generally enthusiastic person, but didn't realize how that can go a long way in the business world. I also became aware of my areas that need improvement, like my need to people please. I avoid being assertive or sassy and let people walk over me to make them happy. I knew this, but I needed to here it from a business perspective.

The best part of everything I gained from Opera Roanoke is that I can take it with me, my experiences, relationships, and skills, as I leave for graduate school at Colorado State. I can not only apply it to graduate school, but to my many endeavors to come in wherever my career as a musician may take me. That's the beauty and the point of an internship. I may not be going into arts administration, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I come out on the other side with experiences that will prepare me for the future. Opera Roanoke helped me do this, and I couldn't be happier that I found what I needed through them.

Advice for the young adults starting their careers in the arts. Work for a nonprofit, at least for a short period if anything. Their employees work the hardest and are most passionate about what they do. If they were doing it for the money, they would find somewhere else to work. You'll get the best experience from that type of organization and the persons who work for them. ...I have to add also that great teachers coincide with the above. Add it's usually the great teachers that do this type of work.

It has been a pleasure, readers! I hope to start another blog soon on the journey of a young percussionist. Say tuned!

-Matt

We're So Glamorous

Working in the arts, especially for an opera organization, is soooo GLAMOROUS. We're up in here with fur coats and Louboutin heels, sipping on expensive champagne all while making opera happen. Oh and did I mention the butler? And that each of us have a personal assistant? Ahh, the life of an arts administrator...

Just kidding everyone. This is far from what the life in the arts is like, and it is a myth that our work is glamorous and envied (well glamorous in a general definition... I like to think my life is glamorous to me anyway). We may make it look fabulous and perfect on stage, but a real taste of the arts happens behind the scenes.

So, let me clear some things up. You'll see that our work at Opera Roanoke is far from the above description.

- We have someone move our piano for us, when needed.

We wish. But when money has to be spent in far more wiser investments, we move our piano on our own... That or there's no piano.

- You're famous, right? I mean you have to be, you work at the opera.

Pavarotti is famous (if you don't know who that is, look him up). The people doing the "dirty" work between productions who are off stage or in the audience are not famous. Have you ever heard of that one famous arts administrator? Though anyone, including supporters, involved in making a production or performance happen is responsible for the success and the fame.

-Can't you hire someone for that?

Sure, if you're a for-profit company or even a large nonprofit organization you can hire someone to knock out the odd jobs that need to be done, but if you can put that money into better use (which of course any nonprofit can) we do it ourselves. Just today we had to move Opera Roanoke's furniture out of our production office at the Jefferson Center (we're consolidating), and move everything to our offices on Church Avenue. We did it ourselves, down to the very last spinning wheel. It saves money. Besides, who else is going to do it? I think you would be surprised that all people who work for arts organizations have to take on more than a few tasks(elbow grease and all) outside of their job description.

- We play music all day long and then go home at 5pm.

Wrong-o. Playing, singing, and practicing are only half of the responsibilities of a musician. There's a lot more that has to get done during the day like emails, phone calls, meetings, and trips to the post office. And a 9-5 day? What's that? It may work for Dolly Parton, but not for us.

-Your "to do" list never ends? Why? You work in the arts...

Think of a to do list that never ends and then double that. It is quite the misconception that we have very little to do. I think it is hard for the general public to understand that because we're musicians, we're not as busy as everyone else. I don't blame them for thinking that because usually they're not professional musicians or work in arts administration. Just as we do not work in their field. But just to let the world know, it's not all fun and games. Most of what we do makes us wish that there were more hours in the day.

Now, I don't want my readers thinking that I am complaining, because I love what I do and I wouldn't change anything. But I do think it is a stereotype to think that our work is glamorous and easy. What we do only happens because we do it ourselves with hard work and long hours. At some point every artist has to make that choice... Is this life for me? If you are truly passionate then all of the above doesn't matter. You just do it anyway.

Until next time!

-Matt 

Wait... But I'm a Percussionist

I'm not sure if I have told you previously, but I am a classical percussion. I play solo repertoire, chamber music, and large ensemble literature on various percussion instruments; you name it, I've probably played it. As an instrumentalist, it's easy to have an outside perspective of Opera Roanoke. Before my time here the only opera I had been exposed to was in music history class. We only studied the surface (and maybe a little deeper than that) of the genre, not knowing certain specifics that are common knowledge for opera singers. Even though I'm only the administrative apprentice, I can't help but be surrounded by opera, as you could imagine.

 Because I am around the singers, performances, and staff at Opera Roanoke, it's become possible for me to pick up on things that I didn't learn in music history. Like the fact that there are many, many vocal types with subcategories inside categories all sang by different character types. Or that there is a difference in the responsibilities of a stage director and an artistic director. Do all instrumentalists know these details? I suppose they do if they really enjoy opera, but what about those who don't?

Instrumentalists may rarely think about vocalists and vise-versa. In fact, the case is often that they don't get along all the time. Why? Colliding personalities perhaps? Who knows for sure... But I think embracing different areas of your art is important in musical growth and knowledge. Whether we "drummers" like opera or not doesn't matter. It is the duty of musicians, instrumentalists and vocalists alike, to emerge ourselves into other forms and genres of music; only then can we grow outside the boundaries of our voices or instruments. 

Opera Roanoke has allowed me to dip my toes, perhaps even my feet, a little further into the large ocean that is opera. I've been to performances and events, become friends with the apprentices, and have gone through so many articles, music, props, and costumes that it is practically impossible for me to have come out of this experience without any additional knowledge of opera than I already had. Not to mention how much more time I have to listen to the morning classics on the local public radio station driving between Roanoke and Radford.

With that being said, when you're listening to music, try listening to something that's way outside of your comfort zone. I know it's easier said than done. I often listen to tons of marimba music and symphonies without remembering to expand my noggin by listening to something else. I once heard that good art should make you feel uncomfortable and awkward at first. Well then, musicians, I suppose the same applies to us. If you're listening to something and it makes you uncomfortable, turn it up... You must be doing it right.

5 Ways Opera Roanoke Operates Differently

Working at Opera Roanoke has given me a fairly vivid perspective of how things are done in a nonprofit arts organization. I've learned what goes on inside and outside of the office. However, I've also worked for some for-profit, non-arts organizations. I think the general public would be surprised of the differences between these two dynamic ways of operating.

Here are 5 ways Opera Roanoke along with most nonprofit arts organizations are operating differently...

1. We thrive on donors.
We at the opera get excited in the office when we have a few donations come in, especially if it's a major check. Why do we get excited? Because they are such a significant source of income. Without donors and mostly individual donors, we do not go on. For a sole proprietor, for example, income is probably coming from a service or retail. Most nonprofit arts organizations' income is used for the art itself so that the show may go on, and is provided by the folks who want to see it go on.

2. "You had one job" says no one at Opera Roanoke.
Here in the office, no one has just one job. We have Scott and Liz full time and apprentice artist, Asherah, who works part time because it is impossible to run everything with just two people. The also have me until July 31. Scott is our artistic director, but he's also helping with operations and teaching. Liz is our director of operations, but she, as well as Scott, is also doing fundraising, marketing and promotions, social media, accounting, and anything else you can think of. Granted, we do have the Center in the Square's help with a lot of this, but initially it comes back to us. Why does this happen? Opera Roanoke has to take into consideration that we do not have the means to pay a large staff.  So, three people are doing the job of five or six individuals. This is becoming more and more common in the arts world.

3. Everyday is a learning experience.
Did I know how to do everything I've been doing at Opera Roanoke? Of course not. Did I figure it out? You bet ya. Because we don't have a full staff, we have to learn how to be self-sufficient. Even Scott and Liz must always be learning to keep things running and going smoothly. Nonprofit arts have a way of keeping you alert, on your toes, and forever learning. Personally, working at the opera has also helped me learn about opera, and how opera singers can have quite the eccentric personalities.

4. We can be ourselves, while being oh so professional.
I'm not saying that this is solely a fact of nonprofit arts organizations, but here at Opera Roanoke, we like to be chatty kathies and joke around and for some of us be nerds... It keeps the atmosphere alive and the work flow going. At the end of the day, we know what we're here for and how to get things completed.

5. We have apprentices instead of interns.
Apprentices are here to obtain real experiences in their careers. There are apprentice artists who perform and take lessons, and every summer there is an administrative apprentice on staff learning operations. Opera Roanoke does not have interns because we can get our own coffee.

**Bonus 6. We have a severed head.

Matt the Interior Designer

Hello folks! Lovely rainy day here at Opera Roanoke... 

Today's post is not nearly as enthralling as yesterdays, but I feel it is my duty as Administrative Apprentice Closet Organizing Interior Designer Extraordinaire to keep you updated on what I'm doing in the office. Because I know how you are always biting your nails, waiting for a post and an update. Never fear, you can relax now.

For the past two days, I've been turning our receptionist desk and copying/mailing space into something that looks inviting. Before my rearrangement, one might think the space was too cluttered and unnecessary because we don't actually have a receptionist who needs all the stuff we had in that corner. So I did some condensing by moving things that could fit in the supply closet (which I also did some touching up on). I moved our "waiting room," which was a line of chairs down our hallway, in front of our windows beside the door to the office, which by the way, I didn't think would work but in fact did. I made the copying area more user friendly by arranging envelopes, supplies, and paper along one wall. Now the space looks more aesthetically pleasing when you walk in the door. I like to think I have the magic touch (hehe).

And yes, now that you ask, I do have some advice from this task, something that I use in general furniture rearrangement... If you want an idea to work, but don't think it's going to work, just try it... You'll be surprised. And if you're not and it doesn't work at all, put it back.

I wish I had thought to take some "before" photos, but at least I have the "after!" 

Until Next Time!

-Matt

My Top 15 Reasons Why Opera Roanoke is the Best Place to Intern

Hey guys! Interning at Opera Roanoke is and has been fantabulous (yes, in my dictionary, which is full of "real" words, fantabulous is most certainly a word - the only word that can properly emphasize being fantastic and fabulous at the same time).

Here are 15 reasons why:

1. The work environment is productive, yet relaxed and fun. Isn't that what we're all looking for in a career?

2. We have a severed head.

3. This isn't just an internship where you make coffee for everyone and do monotonous tasks all day. Opera Roanoke asks for my input, gives me real projects, and makes me feel like my voice matters (hehe).

4. Your boss asks you to watch "Office Space" for a research project.

5. Your boss shares your love for kitties and bunnies. Who doesn't like kitties and bunnies?
Here are a few pics of kitties and bunnies:

6. Hearing opera singers all the time gives you a new appreciation for the art. Before interning at Opera Roanoke, as a percussionist, opera wasn't my thing. But now, I can understand why it is so complex, musical, and entertaining.

7. If you like closet organizing, this is the place to be. I can put closet organizing on my resume and sleep soundly at night knowing that I am completely confident in my skills.

8. You can take selfies at work for blogging.
#LetMeTakeASelfie

9. Because Spinning Wheels

10. When organizing, you can play dress up (if you have no shame like me).
Here are a few of my favorite moments of dress up:

11. Opera Roanoke teaches you that "miscellaneous" is not a useful word. Ambiguity in the work place is not organization.

12. Going to the bank involves delicious mint coated chocolates that I have never encountered anywhere else.

13. Because we have these awesome coloring sheets promoting Opera Roanoke's upcoming productions if you come to an event.

14. You work with fabulous people, such as these folks...

15. Selfie

Until next time!
-Matt

"A Blog About Blogging," said the Blogger

Hello friends and readers! I'm back with another post about my experiences as Opera Roanoke's Administrative Apprentice. As I sat at my desk today thinking about a topic to write about, I had the thought "man, since I've been working at Opera Roanoke, I've become a pretty avid blogger." And to be honest, I never blogged before starting here. During my first few days here, Liz came to me asking if I could blog about my experiences here. We both agreed that my writing could act as a portal for the world (locally and internationally, I do have a few readers in Turkey and Germany) to get an inside perspective on how a small nonprofit, such as Opera Roanoke, does business. Believe it or not, it never came to me that I would actually enjoy writing on such a personal level. However, this blog has given not only my readers a perspective, but a new one of my own.

Blogging for Opera Roanoke has challenged me to channel my inner writer. I'm convinced that my writing skills have evolved over this short period of time, pushing my creativity and my use of Google. Frankly, I used to dread creative writing. I would procrastinate and definitely not give it my all, though I've always been moderately good at technical writing/research. When asked if I could blog, I realized that this could be a new opportunity to find writing exciting, to find my voice. And I believe I have found it.

My thought process on writing my posts is very simple. I conjure up a topic and let my fingers do the rest. For me, there is no need for an outline or planning. I never follow my plan anyway. It's easiest for me to let the words flow from my brain to my hands to the computer screen. Before starting this blog it was quite possible that I was trying too hard, analyzing every sentence and word.

So to tie this in with Opera Roanoke, I was given the job to write, in which the organization gains followers and promotion (on a small scale, but still on the scale), in return I gain better writing and communication skills. If it hadn't been for the opera, it could have been many years before I had discovered my potential in such an unexpected medium. 

I haven't given it much thought, but I think I will continue to blog after my time at Opera Roanoke has come to an end. As long as people will listen, I'll talk.

Until next time,

-Matt

Professional Closet Organizer Extrodinaire

Yes, friends, it's true. I'm dropping the life of a musician to pursue my dream of becoming a professional closet organizer, and the occasional mover. I've had so much organizing and moving experience here at Opera Roanoke that I believe I have found my calling...

Yeah, right! Gotcha! In today's blog I'm going to chat with you about my past two days here at the Opera, which coincidentally involves a storage closet (you're probably anticipating these posts at this point).

So previously I wrote about my time organizing the production storage space that we are no longer going to be using at the Jefferson Center. On Wednesday, I started putting things into boxes and loading them up in my little Ford Focus then taking them to our offices on Church Ave. I did the same thing twice yesterday. Let me tell you, it's definitely not easy.

I did, however, gain experience from the task.
For instance...

- I now know that you can find a box for anything and without wasting space.

- You get so tired of carrying so many loads back and forth you learn how to carry 20 boxes, a bag, and a      printer in one trip while also being able to open a door and press the button for the elevator. And on the        very last trip, you find a way to carry twice as much.

- Which leads me to say... Elevators are your friends when it comes to moving. Ain't nobody got time to lug      heavy things up and down stairs.

- At some point you have to take a second to take a selfie or 3... Working for an arts organization, I like to     find props and wigs to pose with, making my selfies ultimate selfies.

 - I learned how to properly use a cart, and the many variations of such. I know you're thinking "well duh,         anyone can use a cart." Not if your me... it was a fine art to learn how to not run into the wall/door every       time I went to my car.

- I eventually became okay with the fact that this was my "I lost count" trip to/from the car. When you move     a large amount of items, you just want to get it over with.

- You will end up with a "Random Junk" box.

- When organizing and moving, you always find cool things, which makes the job more enjoyable. Like this      box.

...yes it is a shoe box, and  it does say "Funtaisma: Step into Fun."

Until Next Time!
-Matt

"Office Space:" The Best Educational Resource for Newbies

For those of you who have seen Office Space, you know that it's quite possibly the best film ever about the life working in an office. Thanks to Liz, I refreshed my memory by re-watching last night as part of a research assignment (when I first watched at age 14, I was not yet old enough to appreciate the life lessons and humor). Today, I'm going to give you 10 reasons why Office Space is the best educational resource for your beginning office job.

1.) Because the moral of the story is to find a job that you can actually enjoy, and at least be happy with. I think this is self-explanatory. Why would you put up with your miserable job? The only excuse is if you had NO other choice under certain circumstances, but if you can make options for yourself, get you a job that makes you happy.

2.) Peter demonstrates how to cut the bull. In the film, Peter told the "Bobs" exactly how much he slacked off and exactly what he thought of Initech. He didn't sugar coat his experiences and thoughts. So what did the "consultants" do, they gave him a promotion. BAM.

3.) Don't under estimate the office pushovers. Lumbergh bullies Milton, the soft spoken, mumbling character who's always being told to move his office space. AND he takes his Swingline 747 Rio Red stapler. After Milton's "last straw," he then burns down Initech and takes a vacation to paradise. So, don't take your pushovers for granted. They could commit arson on your office.

4.) Because Peter, Michael, and Samir, show us that stealing is wrong. They're computer virus that is suppose to collect only percentages of pennies from Initech's flaw in accounting actually takes all of the money they had planned to make at once. Think twice before you do something stupid, no matter how much you hate your job, something always goes wrong.

5.) If you're nervous about asking someone out on a date, just be confident and do it. The worst thing that could happen is that they say no. In Peter's case, Joanne was overtaken by his straightforwardness and joined him for lunch.

6.) Printers and copying machines are the devil.

7.) Too much flare is obnoxious.

8.) Always do the right thing, even if you regret it. Peter slips the money that had been taken and a note confessing his crime under Lumbergh's office door, immediately regretting his decision. Though, don't always count on a fire to save you.

9.) Make sure to get rid of that nasty case of the Mondays.

10.) NEVER take someones Swingline 747 Rio Red stapler.

Until Next Time!
-Matt

Photography Duty

Today at Opera Roanoke it was our turn to perform for "Tuesdays on the Square," which is a showcase program Center in the Square hosts every Tuesday. Our apprentice artists serenaded the public with beautiful arias and various operatic selections. I sang as well... Yes, everyone thoroughly enjoyed my rendition of Let It Go from Frozen. (I'm only joking... I'll save that for my morning showers).

So what was my job for today you ask? Well didn't you know it? I'm a professional photographer. No, not really, though I was on photography duty for today. When it comes to taking photos I have no clue what I'm doing, but I'll say with any task, if you don't know what you're doing, you fake it til you make it. Honestly you should do your research and not use that motto, but for this situation it works!

My method for taking photography for today was... let me see how many pictures I can take and hope that a few of them turn out decent. And you know what, this actually worked. I had quite a few that turned out really great. Once I got the hang of how the camera worked, and how you have to take the photo right at the perfect moment to capture the emotion of the vocalist's character, it was really enjoyable! Granted, I caught some hilarious facial expressions when I didn't snap at the right time. Liz and I had a good laugh as I went through them later. So through my 150 photos I ended up with, I chose 28 that will soon be posted on various social media (be sure to check them out!). Now I can add "amateur photography" to my resume thanks to Opera Roanoke!

Moral of the story... If you don't know what you're doing, be confident, work through it, and give it a try. That's what I did today. You'll be surprised with yourself and the outcome.

Until Next Time!
-Matt
**Disclaimer - one should not use the method "fake it til you make it" for everything. This could get you in trouble. Or fired.

Here There and Everywhere

Sometimes, most of the time, there are too few hours in the day. If you're a musician, then you know those hours are even less. Even if we work in arts administration, that doesn't mean we're not playing or teaching. And playing and teaching requires practicing and extra time-- and we're not all prodigies.

If we have this much on our plate then how do we take care of it all? I realize that I'm blogging to share my experiences with Opera Roanoke. I still am, but post is about the ability to have time for those experiences. Time Management and organization... We're either great at it. Fail at it. Or, in my case, we make some system up that no one else understands. Today I'll talk about how I personally time manage and organize.

Here's a list of things I'm doing currently. Interning, teaching, practicing, writing, and packing (which entails getting anything and everything tied up before moving). How do I do all that? I'm not really sure, but here's my best shot at explaining it.

Unlike most, my time management techniques fluctuate and change often. I'll go through a phase where I write EVERYTHING down. And then a phase where I write down only the things I know I will forget. However, I always make lists, but not everyday. When I feel like I need to put everything into perspective, or I simply have too much to do, I make a list. I may not finish everything on the list in a perfect timely manner, but at least I know what needs to get done, and it does. I think this has something to do with not have a fluid productive mood, instead I have major outbursts of productivity.

Planners. I love planners. But oddly enough, in the summer I don't keep one. I have a notebook, sticky notes, and a phone. Any date or occasion I need to get ready for or remember goes down in one of these places. That or my noggin. Now during school, I keep a planner strictly for an outline of assignments, important dates, and practice time. I couldn't live without it. I also record notes for practicing if I have a lot of literature.

As far as managing my day goes, I write down or either set up a visual in my head of when and what will happen in my day. Right now my schedule has become routine, so I know when I have time to do things. I can get emails, or extra work done in the mornings. Sometimes I'll get up early to practice so that I don't have such a load when I get home (this isn't happen as much right now, it's so hard to get up so early every morning!). In the evening I give myself an hour to eat and relax. I then know, by keeping a list, what I need to do as a percussionist--what to practice and what to listen to. Since I've been teaching Governor's School at Radford, I add a little time to plan out what I'm going to do with my students if need be.

I will have to say that I've spread myself very thin this summer. Sometimes, I have to say "well you're not going to get to practice today" or, I'm working on a project or actually practicing and I'm thinking "you're not doing this productively at all." We have to accept that we're human, and also that we have to sleep sometime. I have a bad habit of letting myself think that I'm slacking if I can't get everything done and done perfectly at that.

Basically I'm a really scattered person, who is organized (mostly)... This my readers is an oxymoron. My ways do not make sense to all, but make sense to me. And this is all that matters. It's whatever gets you through the day. So find you're thing, dig it, and stick with it.

Until next time,
-Matt

Wig Heads and Spinning Wheels and Mesopotamian Sandals, Oh My!

Hey guys, me again! Back with an adventure-filled blog post about my endeavors with Opera Roanoke's "Production Office" over at the Jefferson Center. The reason I use quotes around "production office" is because at the moment, it's being used mostly for storage. Therefore, we are moving everything to store at our offices on Church Ave. I know, you thought you had escaped my enduring posts about the storage closet, but now I have another "closet" to organize. So you can bet on more puns in the very near future.

I knew what was awaiting behind the door that read "Opera Roanoke" at the Jefferson Center because earlier in the week Liz and I paid a visit to assess the situation. Having to start somewhere, I wrote down all the categories of things that I thought I would encounter. I tried to sort very loosely according to my categories, and then narrowed things down. Starting with costumes, I made piles of hats, pants, shoes (including many, many pairs of Egyptian sandals), and so forth. 

    

 Here are some things I found...

I call these "Accessory Selfies"

Next I sorted through office supplies, makeup and hair supplies, wig heads, props, bird cages, a storage closet within the production office (I was in a closet within a closet... Like the movie "Inception?"), snacks and beverages, music, music scores, libretto with translations, even more programs, hundreds of spinning wheels (okay, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration), and sewing supplies. I'm probably forgetting some things, but you understand. What I had at the end of the day was an organized mess, and compared to an unorganized mess, I had definitely made great strides. 

Now all I have left to do is to tie up loose ends, get boxes, and move em' out!

These pictures were taken before I began, stay tuned for the "after." Check it out...

Until next time!

-Matt

Wait? Isn't that common sense?

Good afternoon, readers! In a few days it will be my one month anniversary working as Administrative Apprentice for Opera Roanoke. Exciting, right?! During this month I can definitely say that I've learned a great deal. Now I bet you're wondering what exactly it is that I've learned since I've spent a great deal of my time in the closet, filing documents, organizing, and blogging. That's just it, I've learned (and still learning) how to operate in an office environment. That seems like common sense, right? Everyone knows how to work in the office, duh. Well, yes, a lot is common knowledge, but some things are left out of the classroom and must be learned first hand.

So I organize a lot of documents. I sort through them, put them in a separate order, transfer them, any thing you can think of really. Did I do this kind of work in class? Not really. I had to find the best system that works for me, which is basically starting with large categories within a task and then narrow them down until they're in the right order and place.

Working in an office also requires using your brain. That seems like a no-brainer (hehe), but you can be surprised. I've taken a few tasks and made them into something more difficult than they actually are. For instance, yesterday I took all deposits and disbursements from the 2014 fiscal year that were in binders and filed them away into a box for storage. Instead of putting each set of documents into new, separate manila folders, I took the page dividers from the binders to use in the box, labeled them, and put new dividers in the binders for the 2015 fiscal year. It would have made much more sense for me to have left the dividers and put each set into a new folder. This created more work for me in the end.

Other times, you forget or are not aware of how a process works. The other day I took a deposit to the bank. That day I had been filing deposits and disbursements for May and June. When I brought the deposit back, without thinking I added it to the appropriate binder. What I had let slip my mind is that the reason I bring deposit slips to Liz in the first place is so that she can get them to our accountant. I just needed a reminder that accounting has to be recorded for essential business practice.

What I'm getting at is that if you haven't worked an office job before, don't be surprised if it's harder than it looks. I've had to ask many questions and figure things out as I go. For those of you who are doing what I'm doing, don't be afraid to ask those questions and to use the old trial and error tactic. It's the only way you get good, hands on experience. That's what I'm doing at Opera Roanoke. I'm working for the arts, but also learning how to function in an office environment, which I think is crucial for any musician who wants to thrive in the career world. Now I will be able to apply the "common sense" skills I learn here later on as a teacher and performer.

Until next time,

-Matt

Matt Versus The Opera Roanoke Hole Punch

If you're anything like me (bless your heart if you are), then sometimes daily tasks can be challenging. No, I didn't injure myself or fall down the stairs, I just lack common sense and the ability to follow my instinct occasionally. Well, probably more than occasionally. Let me give you an example...

Today at Opera Roanoke I was filing deposits and disbursements from the last few months of the fiscal year. After sorting through them twice I had to hole punch and file them into their corresponding binders. I was on my very last disbursement for June and got a little ahead of myself. I look at the fifteen pages that made up this singular disbursement and thought: "ah, this will be no problem for the (electric) hole punch, I can definitely get it in one round." You know what's coming next. I found myself with a jammed whole punch. Its motor was burning up by the second. I frantically moved the desk out from the wall a few inches and unplugged it from the wall. Uttering a few choice words under my breath, I examined the situation, knowing that if I had just taken my time I could have avoid this all together. A hot, slightly burning smell filled my nose as I had it up to my face. The paper was jammed so tightly, that not even Hercules could pull it out.

I enter Liz's offices, and at this point I'm trying not to laugh before I start telling her what happened because I knew she would find it an unfortunately hilarious situation. Liz then tells me I'm probably going to half to take the thing apart completely. During this I'm thinking, "this hole punch is forever doomed." I return to the disaster that is the Opera Roanoke hole punch. Flipping it over and examining all the small grooves and screws, it occurs to me that maybe taking this apart won't actually release the paper. I go to plan B.

Staring at the computer screen, I type in "how to unjam an electric hole punch" into google (by the way, it must not be that uncommon because it came up in the suggestions). There's a Yahoo Answers in the search results, and I immediately go to the page. It's here where I found the three best answers. 1.) Take an object such as a screwdriver or needle nose pliers and manually pop the hole cutters (for lack of a better term) back in. 2) Wet the jammed paper, let it get mushy, pull it out. 3.) Get frustrated and bang it on top of the desk to pop the hole cutters back.

Knowing that the internet must be right, I gave it a shot.  I couldn't use number 2 with important documentation so I attempted the first one with a screwdriver. I got them to pop back a bit but not enough. I then became frustrated with the thing, which lead me to try number 3. Did it work? After a few alternations between 1 and 3, it did in fact work. And so I finished my filing shortly after.

Last week I had a similar experience with the paper shredder, but we won't go there. So what's the moral of the story you ask? When all else fails, just give it a good smacking. That will fix it right up. Though this may work, (and in more cases than not to be honest) the real moral is to take your time on a task, and always have "it's better to be safe than sorry" in the back of your mind. That way you won't end up like me. But if you are like me, and this stuff happens to you all the time no matter what, well, bless your heart.

Until next time!
-Matt

It's "Reely" Important: Media Archiving

Over the past few days, here at Opera Roanoke, I've been taking all CD recordings, pictures, and videos from past productions and digitally archiving them on our server. Yes, it's tedious, but no less important than paper documents. Why is that you ask? Organizations that function within the arts have a rich performance history. We find this history in pictures, recordings, and videos, in which we can reference for marketing and promotion, or for artistic reference when we decide to do a production again. To have a digital and physical copy of our archives is simply practicing good business habits as well.

Whilst rummaging through our collection, I've come across not only CDs and DVDs, but footage from old video cameras, reel-to-reel recordings, cassettes, and negatives from still photographs. That's awesome, right? Some of this media is from 1980, which makes sense considering Opera Roanoke has been operating (hehe) for nearly forty years. Now here's the problem, how do we actually view and use this media? We have it, it's there physically, but it might as well be trash without the obsolete devises to play it on. Isn't that a shame? A performing arts organization that has such an extensive history on stage can't even view all of it's performances. Yes, there's the possible ability to digitize, but Opera Roanoke is a nonprofit organization that puts on two productions a year. Being a niche entertainment and in Southwest Virginia, it's a struggle to find funding to take five to ten different forms of media and bring it to digital. Ironic, huh? Though I'm sure no one in 1980 thought, "you know, I bet we won't be able to view this in thirty years, so what's the bother?"

But we can't just throw it out. Even though we have all this wonderful footage and recordings locked away without a key doesn't mean that we should forget about it. Over the next few weeks Opera Roanoke will look for and explore options of getting this history into an updated form for viewing and listening. Liz and I have been discussing the matter recently, but we really have a lack of knowledge on pricing and possibilities that are available. We could stuff it right back in the closet where it has been for decades, save the little funding we could spend, and forget about it. Besides, no one knew it was there to begin with. However, it is our duty as musicians and lovers of the arts to preserve any form of history. It is important that we do so, so that we may keep the arts alive and well, so that we do not forget our past, and so that we can persevere into the future.


Here's what I'm talking about...

Until next time,

-Matt

Opera Roanoke: A Fabulous Work Enviroment

Another week at Opera Roanoke under my belt! I have to say that I truly enjoy working here. It's a unique experience that will definitely be a benefit for my future.

So I know I have been updating you on tasks that I'm doing, but I haven't filled you in Opera Roanoke's work environment. Liz basically tells me everyday we're not like every organization. And she's right. Opera Roanoke is just as laid back as they are professional. This nonprofit organization not only cares for its patrons and guests, but keeps the office casual. I feel no pressure to be someone I'm not, or to get work done without having a grueling boss who breathes down the back of my shirt. That's a HUGH reason why I love getting up every morning and coming to the office, knowing that I'm going to have over fifty engaging and hilarious conversations throughout the day. How can anyone enjoy a job that requires every conversation to be like a job interview? Thats so much unnecessary stress. If you can get just as much work done in a relaxed environment then I don't see the issue. We all joke around, check our phones occasionally, and work our butts off. I can also talk to Liz, Scott, and Amy like they're my friends, still knowing that they expect 100% from me and from each other. It certainly does help when you get along with everyone though, which I feel is crucial for a good flow in the office.

I suppose I should also fill you in on things I've been doing the past couple of days. There are some left over boxes from the storage closet that still need to be rummaged through (I think they're multiplying). Today I uploaded pictures to our server so that we can have a digital archive of our productions. And yesterday I scanned documents to have as digital as well. Backing up files makes for smart business! I've basically been tying up loose ends here and there, and organizing some PR and old media.

I should also share my adventure from yesterday. Liz and I had to drop off a check at the Jefferson Center. We thought we would be active and take the fifteen minute walk. We got there fine, no hassle at all, chatted for a bit, and as soon as we started to leave it began to down pour. Liz and I are firm believers that it doesn't take much for one to melt in the rain. And who wants to get Michael Kors wet? So we waited, and waited, and waited, until the rain finally subdued. We got maybe two blocks from the Jefferson Center and it started raining again, which caused us to take shelter outside of the Oakey Funeral Home where we waited another twenty (or more) minutes. Finally catching a break, we made it back to the office, with only minimal damage, except for my flat, frizzy hair. Our thirty minute trip turned into an hour and fifteen minutes... The moral of the story: ALWAYS carry an umbrella, or be lazy and drive.

Until next time!
-Matt

Conquering the Closet

Good morning! It's almost the weekend. Which for me means Netflix and long overdue practicing of orchestral excerpts. I know, I live on the edge, man...

So, I know what you're thinking. "Would you just be done with the closet already?" (goodness, the puns). Well yesterday I did finish organizing the illustrious storage closet once and for all! I won't go into detail about what I did because I would just be repeating myself from previous posts. But I will share some pictures and talk about the importance of organizing an organization's storage closet.

Here's why a new employee/intern should have to organize your closet...

You go through hundreds of documents, pictures, supplies, programs, articles, newspapers.. you get my drift. During the process you get rid of a lot, you find better ways to organize the information, you consolidate, file, and you inevitably learn much about the history and past of the organization... It's like a research. Why do we do research? To learn about a topic, more or less. How do we do research? We read through and organize data. And that's exactly what I've done at the beginning of my adventure here at Opera Roanoke.

Now I know what productions they've done previously. I know what costumes they used. I know that all data used to be stored on floppy disks. I know the past artistic directors. I know that the 80s and 90s were a regrettable time for graphic design. Just by rummaging and filing, my knowledge about Opera Roanoke is ten fold compared to learning by talking to Liz or Scott. And not because of a lack of knowledge from them, but because I've experienced the past first hand.

So, my point of the story is that you don't use interns to organize supply closets because they're interns, but because it's simply the best way for them to learn about the organization.

On that note, I'm glad to be out of that closet (although I think that ship sailed a long time ago). Oh you know I had to say it!

Look for more upcoming posts about my adventures as Administrative Apprentice for Opera Roanoke!

Here are some pics from the week!

                                                    Those never ending programs

                                               The Final Product

Journey to the Center of... The Opera Roanoke Storage Closet: Part II

Day 7. I'm running low on food and water. I figure I have about 24 hours worth left of supplies. I don't know my exact location, but I'm somewhere near the "Merle Norman" cookbooks from 1989. I'm beginning to doubt my chances of making it back to the entrance. Today I ran across a flock of old programs, there must have been 300 of them, and I'm not so sure how and where I found the strength to fight them off. Last night in my dreams, I was continuously haunted by the word "miscellaneous." I'm not sure why, but I don't like it...

Okay, back to reality.. I'm not really lost in some storage closet dimension. However, I am still in the midst of organizing the storage closet. And I apologize for no posts over the past week, I was busy with a job for Virginia 4-H Congress. I know you've been biting your nails waiting on another post. So, without further corny injections let me tell you what I did this past Friday as Administrative Apprentice (has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) at Opera Roanoke.

I arrived at the office around 9, earlier than usual, to attend an advertising meeting with Liz and Pat (she's with the children's theatre in town). Pat is quite the energetic lady, and I mean that in the best way! We arrive at Lamar (advertising) at 10am and pitch our thoughts about having 17 of the arts programs in Roanoke share some space on a digital billboard. I have to say Will, the sales representative, was on his game and really helped us out. This is one of those learning experiences you have as an intern. Liz and Pat aimed high with the money at hand, listened to our options, and with Will, came up with a realistic plan to advertise on a digital billboard in a way that would still be beneficial. Success for the day!

Sometimes in business, weather it be non-profit or for-profit, we encounter road blocks that require attention that would otherwise be used on productivity. These road blocks are messy to get through and are a waste of time. I'll give you an example of what happened on Friday, and the short version at that. When Liz and I arrived back at the office, she put me on a project to research. I don't want to compromise integrity, so I will spare you the details. But it resulted in a great deal of cleanup work for the office. Another lesson of business for today.

And just when you thought I forgot... The storage closet. I'm actually halfway there! I encountered operas on old VHSs, informative cookbooks with the most fabulous covers, and several  Opera Roanoke "boutique sale" items from 1996. A few more days, and I'll have that closet in tip top shape. If I ever make it out alive... dun dun dun! (this doesn't get old)

Yesterday Opera Roanoke participated in Parks and Arts 2014. At the Preston Park, Opera Roanoke joined the Southwest Virginia Ballet, Taubman Museum of Art, and Mill Mountain Theatre in a series of performances and workshops for children in the area. I had a chance to meet all of our fabulous (I love this word by the way, fabulous, anything and anyone can be fabulous) apprentice artists. All performers from every organization did a fierce job, and not to toot our own horn, but our apprentices did the best... wink wink. But for real, truly talented musicians. It's also credible to note that the cutest little boy sang I Just Can't Wait to be King from the Lion King, and it was adorable.

Until next time followers! Thanks for reading.

-Matt

Journey to the Center of the... Opera Roanoke Storage Closet: Part I

 Today at Opera Roanoke, I discovered an unexplored world full of dangers and adventure. I had no idea what to expect around each turn and corner. That's right, I'm talking about the storage closet... Dun Dun Dun! Alright, so it's not that exciting, but boy do I love to organize (really though).

I spent most of my day organizing files, boxes, programs, and vinyl records. I made shelf space for the accounting boxes, and transferred old vinyl recordings of some of the greats like Verdi’s La Traviata to Liz’s office for display. I’m still trying to find a way to make them look presentable. 

I wasn’t in the closet all day, though. I walked to a law firm at the Wells Fargo building to pick up some important documents. At 12:45pm we took a stroll to The Taubman Museum of Art for a “Parks and Arts 2014” meeting (#ParksArts2014). Opera Roanoke, Mill Mountain Theatre, and the museum had representatives present to discuss what each company would do (performances, workshops, crafts, etc.). I might add that Parks and Arts is an event over several Saturdays this summer. Local entertainment like Opera Roanoke, Southwest Virginia Ballet, Mill Mountain Theatre, and The Taubman Museum of Art will be giving workshops and performances in festival style setting. Once the meeting had adjourned, I went to Lunch with Liz.

Bach at the office (hehe), I resumed organizing, and at some point I had awesome cake made by Asherah—strawberry lemonade cake to be exact. Yes, it tastes as good as it sounds. Today’s findings were not as exciting as Wednesday’s, but I did find enough bubble wrap to make a dress. Oh, and also two bags and four boxes of a children’s activity to demonstrate vocal chords (and you bet your bottom I tried it out myself).

Look for more posts to come about my explorations through the storage closet (I'm only a third of the way finished!) because I know at this very moment you're just dying to read more about me organizing a closet. But don't worry, that's not ALL I'll be chatting about.

This has been your Administrative Apprentice (sounds fancy right?) from Opera Roanoke!

Until next time,

-Matt Hollaway

P.S. Check out these pics!

My First Day

I would like to start out by introducing myself. I'm Matt Hollaway, a recent Music Business graduate of Radford University. To receive my diploma, I am required to complete a 320 hour internship in the music/entertainment industry. After speaking with my percussion instructor, Dr. Sanderl, he informed me that he had just the contact to set me up with. Before I knew it, I was chatting with Liz Lochbrunner about interning with Opera Roanoke. Our personalities instantly clicked, and in the next few weeks I found myself accepting an internship with them. I am definitely a firm believer in "things happen for a reason" and the phrase "it always works out."

My purpose of this blog is to share my experiences from day to day with Opera Roanoke so that the public might get a taste of what goes on behind the scenes. So without further adieux, here is my first day...

Today was my first day interning with Opera Roanoke in their administrative office.  I spent the first hour touring the building, meeting staff from the Center, and talking with Liz and vocal apprentice/staff member, Asherah (forgive me, dear, I am missing the spelling completely) to get to know them. 

My first task of the day involved brainstorming with Liz and Asherah on their new “end of the fiscal year” online campaign. We decided that we would show supporters/people of the community holding up chalkboard signs explaining why they supported Opera Roanoke with the hashtag “ISupportOpera.” My next task was to assist Bill with moving a keyboard from Opera Roanoke's production studio at the Jefferson Center. Shortly after, Asherah and I ran an errand to pick up supplies for the new campaign as well as lunch. In the early afternoon I started the adventurous project of organizing Opera Roanoke’s storage closet. Today I finished organizing video and record archives. I found a few surprises along the way, including a Mepistopheles Halloween costume and fake snow. During the final hours of the day, we began to brainstorm again on the new online campaign, deciding that we would have a separate hashtag and event for this upcoming Tuesday in the square (#ISupporttheArts) for the general public. Later we will launch the actual #ISupportOpera from the supporters of Opera Roanoke. 

Tomorrow I plan to help with the setting up of the countdown to our online campaign (hopefully we can start a local trend!). I will also update you on my journey into the storage closet of Opera Roanoke in the days to come.

Keep following my posts! Things are sure to get more interesting in near future!

--Matt Hollaway