HELPING THE LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC. Do classical musicians know how to conduct themselves in a crisis? Consider how an orchestra management blog teamed up with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) to aid the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO).

On Wednesday, August 31, Drew McManus of the blog Adaptistration posted a memo from Nathan Kahn of the AFM.

"As we all know," Kahn's memo stated, "the musicians of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra are currently, and likely will be unemployed from their orchestra for some time, due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In an effort to assist these musicians, it would be extremely helpful if those orchestras who have a need for substitute, extra or other casual musicians could make such need known to the LPO musicians who may desire such employment."

Kahn identified Adaptistration as a clearinghouse for work and aid offers for LPO musicians. Here are positive responses from across the country.

Such offers of help are just part of the solution when it comes to addressing displacement and unemployment. Many displaced people and those who come to their aid can use ongoing support. So let's keep those swift, smart, and creative approaches coming--we're going to need a lot of them. Perhaps Carnegie Hall and other venues (in New York and elsewhere) could host evacuee musicians for performances at fundraising events.