Q & A with CLB's director Catherine le Bris
At the end of 2019, everything ground to a halt as the world battled a global pandemic. Every industry, from cooperate finance to hospitality were affected by the crisis. Among all of these industries, the performing arts sector was one of the worst affected of all. Steering the helm and navigating artists through this unpredictable storm is the world of Artists Management. Recently, we sat down with CLB Management’s Managing Director, Catherine Le Bris, to find out more about how the agency navigated through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Questions
Q: The pandemic has changed the inner workings of many companies, how has it affected CLB Management and how has the company responded to the challenge?
A: Since COVID stroke, we saw all our former team walk out little by little, either to retrain, work for a different industry or continue working in the classical music field, but somewhere else. It is quite amazing how the first lockdown has encouraged people to not only think about life changes but also to materialise their wishes. Consequently, we had to renew the team, a move, which was made easier by the fact that our new vocal manager had already started and that we were spoilt with choice for the administrator position. The team was completed exactly one year after the beginning of the crisis, and we have since operated with the same team with the recent addition of an intern (part-time). Having said this, the way we managed was to downscale the business, starting with the office space, the team, and the list of artists. We have also benefited from the government measures and the help of the Arts Council, as well as a loan from the bank.
Q: Adaptability is CLB Management's strength, how do you keep the team agile and ready to respond at all times?
A: We are a very small team (4 permanent members) and have a great sense of communication between us, as well as being dedicated to carrying out very specific tasks, yet always happy to help and support our colleagues. We manage a great balance between the necessary collective spirit and individual sense of responsibility and initiative. Our artists include singers, soloists, two composers, and two conductors, and are all extremely busy. We keep each other informed on our artists’ activities, thus allowing us to react if there is an emergency. One of our main fields is baroque music, which implies flexible groups’ sizes, a perfect set up for such a situation by which concerts are postponed, if not cancelled, happening in front of reduced audiences, with travel complications, etc…
Q: CLB Management has been in the business for over 21 years, what are the highs and lows of the company?
A: Highs are: managing great artists, initiating and completing great projects, travelling, and meeting great people in the industry. Lows lie when great artistry does not meet interest, hard work does not pay off or administration gets in the way!
Q: CLB Management recently donated a sum of money to Help Musicians, what is the drive behind it?
A: The crisis has badly affected young musicians, who are, by definition, at the beginning of their careers, and therefore in a fragile position in the industry, whether they are orchestral musicians, young soloists, or playing in chamber music groups. CLB Management has always genuinely been interested in young professionals, helping them at the dawn of their careers (musicians as well as young music administrators). It is also important for us to show solidarity in this time of crisis, and we are more than happy to be involved through a charity.
Q: Over the past two years, the performing arts industry is in need of public support more than ever, what do you think is the best way for the public to support the industry?
A: Funding, of course, acknowledging the huge contribution of culture to the economy, and continuing investment in education.
Find out more about CLB Management’s work through the links below
Website: clbmanagement.co.uk
Facebook: @CLBManagementLTD
Instagram: @clbmanagment
Twitter: @CLBManagement