It was a great experience. You're sort of warned against meeting your idols, but I don't take that too seriously. I'm glad to have the view of him -- or anybody -- enlarged or enriched.

There is kind of a secret society to it. I've loved the records for so long, I forget that to the world at large they're not so well known.

I would say the experience is strong, but it's not so much better than the alternatives other companies have out there.

I now have 20 years experience conducting Mahler's Second Symphony and studying all of Mahler's music. About the same amount of time I concentrated on finance and the media. I suppose I know more about Mahler now than I know about finance. But someone else would have to decide whether I was a better executive or conductor.

One of the main things they bring is a lot of experience with different approaches to issues in higher education.

Whether it's a day, a weekend or a week, a learning vacation is a renewing experience.