A talk with Anna Weber, Director of Operations What made you decide on a career in orchestra management? My first experience with the world of arts management was working for the New York Youth Symphony in Carnegie Hall. I love the music and I loved working with the kids. Then, nine years ago, I applied for a job in the New York Philharmonic's orchestra personnel department. I just love working with musicians. And of course I love the music. You are Director of Operations. What exactly is operations? Once the artistic team has planned the season, and it's all in place, it's up to us operations people to implement that season. The operations staff is responsible for all the details. Louis Patalano, the stage manager, is a big part of that. The stage manager is responsible for the musicians' needs onstage and for the setups. Once the tour is planned, the places we are going to go and the concert halls are set, we have to take care of details like hotels, flights, moving the instruments, and getting the entire orchestra, staff, and guests safely from place to place. It's usually a tour party of about 135 people. When we arrive at an airport, we arrange for buses going to the hotel, and again for buses going to the hall. Louis has to look at the stage and be sure it is set the way the conductor and musicians are accustomed to. The musicians are pretty independent. They eat on their own and do things on their own. Operations is really all of the logistics and details to make sure the concerts go on as planned, and the artists are taken care of and all their needs are met, whether in Avery Fisher Hall or on tour, or on runouts to New Jersey, or wherever. What's a runout? A runout is a mini-tour where the orchestra leaves its home in Avery Fisher Hall to perform in another hall, but doesn't have to stay overnight. What does it take to be a director of operations? I think you need to be very organized and detail-oriented. You need to be able to maintain a sense of calm and a good sense of humor. We have a great team here. It's really strong and everybody works hard. It takes a lot for the final product, especially for touring. Even through the show may last only one day in a city, there is so much that goes before it. That's operations. We work hand in hand with the stage manager. This upcoming tour is a small one for us, just two weeks and only seven concerts. We'll travel on a big jetfoil when moving from island to island in the Canaries. It's sort of a big hovercraft that seats 200 people. What is your favorite part of your job? Hearing the music, I think. All over the world, and in Avery Fisher Hall, too. It's very satisfying. I'm just lucky. It's a fantastic job.