While the arts may not have the vibrant fantasy leagues I posted about yesterday, at least we have trading cards. Yesterday also saw a few stories on the Houston Symphony’s musician trading cards (in the Houston Chronicle and on NPR).
While not intended to spark trading and competitive bets, the cards turn out to be a useful way of reminding audiences that the formally-clad phalanx on stage is made up of real people, professionally trained, active in their communities, with a broad range of interests and skills (the trombonist coached his son’s Little League team to a division championship).
Houston is certainly not the first orchestra to play the sports card. But it’s great to see that they’re in the game.
NOTE: For the visual arts community, there are also Artist Trading Cards. Collect them all!
This reminds me of comedian Robert Klein’s comment about (now ex-wife) Brenda Boozer’s opera career: “She sold out Covent Garden. Thousands came. Of course, it was helmet night.”