Chicago orchestra discusses experience, enjoyment at work
By Jozie Barton
Media School Ambassadors and freshman Ernie Pyle Scholars saw all the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has to offer, looking at features ranging from the balcony to the employees-only archives area.
Laura Emerick, an IU alumna and CSO’s digital content editor, gave us a tour of the orchestra hall and brought in several of her colleagues to talk to us about their jobs.
First up was Eileen Chambers, the orchestra’s publicist. Chambers had all of us go around the room and introduce ourselves, say what our major is and explain why we wanted to visit the orchestra. Many students shared their aspirations to pursue careers in public relations and arts management. Once she got a feel for what we have in mind for our futures, she described what she does in relation to the interests we expressed.
We also heard from Liz Scheffler-Madeja, the marketing director. Before moving to Chicago, Scheffler-Madeja worked as the marketing manager for the Philadelphia Orchestra. Now, as the director of CSO, she constantly is working on new ways to promote the orchestra and come up with new ways to attract the public.
Perhaps the most captivating portion of our time at CSO was when we saw the orchestra’s archives.
Frank Villella, a former member of the orchestra’s chorus who works now as an archivist, showed us musical scores from the 1800s; a solid bronze life mask of Ludwig van Beethoven; a cornucopia given and dedicated to Theodore Thomas, the founder and first music director of CSO; and two of the orchestra’s 62 Grammy Awards.
At the end of our visit at CSO, we had learned three important takeaways:
- Stay in contact with former bosses and colleagues from internships.
- Do not be afraid to try something new because you never know what you will find enjoyable.
- Ask questions and be flexible in regards to everything you do.