WORDS WITH KERR: On Tuesday, we passed along word that the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has hired Alexander Kerr as its new concertmaster. Kerr and DSO Music Director Jaap Van Zweden have a long history together – Kerr succeeded van Zweden as concertmaster of Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. In an interview with theaterjones.com, Kerr spoke about his approach to leading the orchestra: “There is a lot more to it than just playing the violin part, although you have to start with playing that very well indeed. The concertmaster is there to facilitate. You are a go-between. You are a conduit between the orchestra and the conductor and between the separate parts of the orchestra as well. Besides, there are a lot of expectations coming at you from all directions.”

GET CREATIVE: Yesterday, the much-anticipated Creative Time report was unveiled by SMU. The report makes 58 suggestions for improving the Dallas arts scene. Think scored quite a coup on Tuesday by having on Jose Bowen, Dean of the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU, and Anne Pasternak, President and Artistic Director of Creative Time. If you missed the show, you can listen to it/download it.

AT THE HALF: The Black Eyed Peas are the halftime entertainment for Sunday’s Super Bowl after a long run of rock royalty. So which halftime shows were so good (or bad) that we remember them years later? Preston Jones tackles that very question over at dfw.com. For my money, it’ll be tough to ever top Prince playing in the rain in Miami in 2007.