The WorldBlu Blog

Today I had the unique opportunity to watch a three-hour rehearsal of the conductorless Orpheus Chamber Orchestra as they prepared for their show tonight here in Napa. Orpheus is a 30+ year old Grammy-award winning, New York City-based orchestra that has no central authority figure that conducts or tells the musicians how to play.

For years I’ve admired and studied the Orpheus model of organizational democracy. Graham Parker, their Executive Director, spoke at WorldBlu LIVE last fall and has since become a dear friend. It was at his invitation that I finally had a chance to sit in and watch their process of making music without a conductor while I was out here in Napa.

Several things I observed that I think make it all work:

1. LEAVE YOUR INSECURITIES AT THE DOOR. If you feel insecure, you don’t speak out and make a contribution to the process, or you can lash out without really inviting others to enlist in the suggestions you may have. Ego, when used appropriately, is ok. At Orpheus they ask you to leave your insecurities, however, at the door.

2. FREEDOM TAKES DISCIPLINE. People often think that having no conductor means a free-for-all. Hardly. When leadership isn’t just left to one central figure but is shared instead, it all comes down to discipline.

3. SINGLE-MINDEDNESS. Although a diversity of approaches to the music is respected and encouraged, at the end of the day all the musicians know they have the same goal – to make great music.

4. LAUGH. A lot. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Yup.

5. LET SHIFT HAPPEN. Let the leadership shift around, I mean! That’s what they do. With each piece a new section leader is chosen. And even then leadership isn’t just limited to that individual. It’s fluid and literately bounces around the group in a very effective and productive way. So let it shift. Don’t try to control it.

6. IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BE A SUPER-STAR. It isn’t enough to be the best musician in the world. At Orpheus, you have to be able to thrive in a democratic environment. It’s not for everyone and it can be tough.

7. INVITE VERSUS TELL. When you have suggestion to make during the rehearsal, don’t tell people what you want. Invite them to consider it and weigh in as well. This creates a sense of shared ownership. Tell is the command-and-control model. A spirit of invitation is organizational democracy.

Just a few quick thoughts from the day! I hope to write a more of an in-depth op-ed later.

For now, you can learn more about the Orpheus process by clicking here.

And this past summer, the Economist published a fantastic article about Orpheus entitled, “Headless” Definitely worth a read.

My two buddies, Kareem Mayan who works with Fox Interactive Media and Eric Stephens of Creative Good were also with me that day observing the rehearsal. They write a fantastic new blog called, Hidden Mojo. Check it here.

Thanks Graham and the whole Orpheus gang for this most instructive and inspiring afternoon with you all!

- t