HOW DO YOU MOVE A SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE?

An example: When Thilo Wolf joins a classical symphony orchestra as a jazz pianist for a joint project, be it as a soloist, with a band or as a conductor, it means unfamiliar territory for the orchestra. A challenge for about 70 musicians who have to adjust to something completely new. But when at the end of such a project not only the audience and the press cheer, but also the orchestra musicians wish for a continuation, then it can be called a very successful project. 

This process has a lot to do with creative, innovation and change processes in business enterprises, but especially with team motivation. We have analysed the parallels and developed a methodology on how to implement real creative thinking and team spirit in a company without changing processes from scratch and upsetting people: Jazzthinking! 

Vividly and lively presented with many pictures, videos and sound examples from working with jazz formations and large orchestras (see video trailer below). There is also a glimpse or two behind the scenes from Thilo Wolf's collaboration with show stars such as Conchita, Max Mutzke or Benny Anderson (ABBA). Not a lecture by a musician for a company, but by a speaker who is successfully at home in both worlds.

JAZZ CROSSOVER PROJECT WITH THE MUNICH RADIO ORCHESTRA OF BAVARIAN RADIO

How does the jazz ensemble come to the symphony orchestra?

Thilo Wolf on the "Gershwin Melodies" project: 

"When we (Thilo Wolf and Jazz Quartet) come to a symphony orchestra with a crossover project, it is also a kind of innovation or change process. You meet about 70 highly qualified musicians who have developed their own "sound culture" - or corporate culture - and who are excellently attuned to their very own repertoire. The personnel composition of such an orchestra is very comparable to that of a company or corporation. From the ambitious and highly motivated orchestra member to the long-time musician whose motivation is a bit limited, the whole range of artistic personalities is present.

When you come to this orchestra with an unfamiliar repertoire, the tenor is not to change the people and their skills or even to "put something over" them, but to give them new impulses that they also enjoy. We open up new musical worlds by taking the orchestra seriously, relying on its strengths and building on them. Success factors for this collaboration were, on the one hand, our skills as experienced jazz musicians and our authenticity, and on the other hand, our genuine interest in the orchestra, which was reflected, for example, in the music arrangements. These took the wishes and abilities of the orchestra very seriously and built on the almost unlimited possibilities of such a large formation. In this way, all the orchestra musicians could be personally involved and the result was a concert that not only delighted the audience, but especially the orchestra itself. The orchestra retained its identity as a classical ensemble at all times, yet something new and common emerged together with the jazz quartet. The energy and joy of playing of both ensembles was successfully transferred to the audience and the press, the latter raving after the concerts in Munich and Fürth: "Gershwin would have wept with happiness". 

Change and innovation processes in companies also function according to very similar methods. Only if you manage to sustainably inspire your employees will your customers also be enthusiastic in the end. A truism? Possibly, but always an enormous challenge.

We transfer our experience from show business directly to your company and make sure that in the end your company and your product also get a "standing ovation". 

Photos: Crossover concert production with the Munich Radio Orchestra and the Thilo Wolf Jazz Quartet in Munich's sold-out Prinzregententheater (2020). Live broadcast on Bayerischer Rundfunk on BR-Klassik. Standing ovations, enthusiasm and smiling faces at the end.