by Kevin Erickson, Communications & Outreach Manager

Max Weber once described politics as “the slow boring of hard boards”; those with less patience for poetry might just call it slow, boring, and hard.

Nonetheless, I’ve found that the music community is actually uniquely equipped with the kind of long-game thinking that it takes to make substantive policy changes. That’s because there’s a basic structural similarity between the kind of slow and steady work it takes to hone your craft as a composer or performer over many years, keeping your eyes on what opportunities and challenges lie around the corner while working to address your present needs, and the slow and steady process of building movements for justice. Making an impact in either policy or music often requires the same kind of passion and perspective.

[Post authored by FMC Communications Intern Olivia Brown]

When musicians travel with instruments, they often have to gamble with the safety of their most prized possessions. While some airlines are more understanding and allow musicians to purchase extra seats so that they can carry their instruments onboard instead of stowing them with other luggage in the cargo hold, many artists are forced to check their gear — too frequently resulting in damage. And size and weight requirements can be unpredictable. read more