DOS Orchestra #19 - 8 November 94

News from the world of professional orchestras.
Copyright 1994, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians

Topics

Boston Symphony: Squabble over State Funds for Pops

A very public battle has broken out between the Boston Symphony and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) over $2 million in state funding that symphony officials insist was promised the BSO by the administration of Governor William Weld. The money would have replaced funding from Digital Equipment Corporation that had underwritten national TV broadcast of the Boston Pops since 1982. DEC announced last year that it would end its support of the program.

According to orchestra and state officials, the $2 million intended for the Pops was attached to a $12 million allocation to the MCC. The MCC rejected the allocation on the grounds that its charter prohibits earmarking funds, but requested that the state include the $2 million in its budget. It then disbursed the $2 million to other organizations in August.

John Marksbury, director of foundation and government support for the BSO, said "we met with the governor and made our case that this program provides economic benefits to the state, and that we were seeking a one-time transition grant to help us and help us raise other money in the next two years. It was our assumption that, if we received funds, it would be through the Department of Economic Affairs or another department. We know the MCC doesn't earmark funds. But, quite frankly, it appears the MCC things it has a monopoly on all arts funds in the state. There's a philosophical difference here. But we're going to press our case to seek money wherever we can."

William Bulger, president of the Massachusetts senate and a member of the BSO's board, said "there is of course no earmarking. Of course we too support the symphony. We've got some ideas to help them otherwise."

Chicago Symphony: Surplus Announced at Annual Meeting

The Orchestral Association, parent organization of the Chicago Symphony, reported a positive operating result of $9,000 for Fiscal Year 1994, which ended on June 30. The modest surplus, on a budget of $36 million, is the eighth in nine years. Trustees and Governing Members gathered at Orchestra Hall for The Association's annual meeting on October 31 to hear reports from Chairman John Richman, Executive Director Henry Fogel, and Chairman of the Finance and Planning Committee, Frank Rossi.

Total earned income was $23.2 million. $18.6 million came from ticket sales and performance fees (from the spring European tour and several "run-out" concerts). The subscription concerts, for which attendance stood at 94% of capacity, produced revenues of $12.2 million. Tickets for other Orchestra Hall sponsored concerts, including the Great Performers Series, provided another $2.4 million. Radio, television, recording and royalties earned another $2.6 million. Hall rental brought in $826,000, and other sources $1.1 million.

The largest source of contributed income came as the result of the Annual Fund, the yearly broad-based effort that supports the operating budget. The 1994 goal of $8.7 million, a $400,000 increase from the previous year, was achieved. In all, development efforts resulted in $15.9 million in contributions, pledges, underwriting and sponsorships. Included in this figure are $3.9 million in endowment gifts and bequests, $1.1 million in broadcast sponsorships, tour underwriting and other restricted gifts, and $2 million in initial contributions to the capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of Orchestra Hall. Funds invested as endowment, now at $71 million, provided income of $3.5 million.

Cleveland Orchestra: Bernhard Goldschmidt Dies

Bernhard Goldschmidt, principal second violin of the Cleveland Orchestra for 30 years, died of a heart attack October 29 in Morristown NJ.

Goldschmidt joined the orchestra in 1958 and was promoted to the principal second violin position by George Szell in 1964. He was born in Berlin but emigrated with his family to Shanghai to escape Nazi Germany. After playing in the Shanghai Philharmonic, he moved to the United States in 1947, where he studied at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music and the Berkshire Music Festival at Tanglewood. Prior to joining the Cleveland Orchestra, Goldschmidt had played with the Baltimore Symphony and the Houston Symphony, as well as the US Air Force Strolling Strings.

In memory of Goldschmidt, the Cleveland Orchestra opened its concert on November 3 with the "Air" from Bach's Orchestral Suite in D, BWV 1068, with the principal second violin chair vacant.

Goldschmidt is survived by his wife Dorothy, his son Edward, his daughter Rhoda, and a grandson.

Florida Orchestra: Fund Drive Comes Up Short

The Florida Orchestra's emergency fundraising campaign has fallen short of its goal of $3 million to pay off the orchestra's debt, raising the possibility that the orchestra could cease operations soon. "There is a possibility the orchestra could close by December," said board chair Jane Peppard.

Two months ago, the board had raised $600,000 to start the season. The campaign had intended to have raised $1.5 million by this point; however, even including the $600,000 raised prior to the opening of the season, less than half of that has been raised so far.

The orchestra has received additional pledges of $700,000, but they are dependent on the balance of the $3 million being raised.

Florida Orchestra executive director Kathryn Holm said that the orchestra has reworked its short-term debt structure. "We've been able to restructure that debt [and] push it back a few months. We still eventually have to get the money."

The board's executive committee has decided to hire an orchestra management consultant to help Holm, and will ask from help from the Executive Service Corporation of Tampa, an organization of retired executives who volunteer their time to businesses in need.

Box office income is also down, according to marketing director Robert J. Eanell. "Ticket sales are down 30% from projections. We're not seeing full houses, when everybody knows that's what's we need."

Houston Symphony: Musicians Ratify New Labor Agreement

The musicians of the Houston Symphony ratified a new three-year labor agreement on October 20. The agreement concludes lengthy negotiations between the management and musicians, who had been working without a contract since the expiration of the previous agreement in May.

As part of the new agreement, the base weekly wage for HSO musicians will increase from the current $1,020 to $1,200 by the end of the agreement, and the pension will increase from $20,000 annually to $25,000. However, management agreed that discussions about pension in the next agreement will begin at the $28,000 figure that the musicians sought in this negotiation.

Management will increase the amount it pays for dependent health coverage to 75% from the current 50%, while musicians will increase what they pay for health insurance to 5% of the premiums.

The agreement also provides for increases in the Electronic Media Guarantee, which are prepayments for recordings paid as part of the weekly salary.

Houston Symphony executive director David Wax said that the new agreement, which will increase the HSO's labor costs by approximately $1.7 million, was only possible due to commitments by the board and music director Christoph Eschenbach to increase contributions and cut other expenses over the term of the agreement. He also said it will require special fund-raising efforts in addition to the $40 million capital campaign completed last year. The HSO is currently carrying a long-term debt of $3.5 million.

Israel, Jordan Philharmonics Perform at Peace Ceremony

Both the Israel Philharmonic and the Jordan Philharmonic performed at the ceremony on October 26 that marked the signing of the treaty ending 46 years of war between Israel and Jordan. The Israel Philharmonic played the Israeli national anthem "Hatikva" and the Jordan Philharmonic played the national anthem of Jordan, "Aash al-malik" - "Long Live the King." Both orchestras performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" in recognition of President Bill Clinton, who attended the ceremony, and in honor of the US role in brokering peace in the Middle East.

London Philharmonic: Tennstedt Retires

Klaus Tennstedt has announced his retirement as conductor laureate of the London Philharmonic due to poor health. Tennstedt, 68, was principal conductor and music director of the orchestra from 1983-87, and was one of the most popular conductors on the international guest conductor circuit.

Tennstedt has suffered from throat cancer and has had two hip replacement operations.

Savannah Symphony: Striking Musicians Receive Offer, Ultimatum

From the Regional Orchestra Players Association -

On October 21st, the Savannah Symphony Society presented the musicians' negotiation team with a "Best, Last, & Final Offer" during a two day bargaining session using a Federal mediator. It was coupled with an ultimatum that if the musicians did not accept the offer then all November and December concerts would be canceled. Because this proposal continues to neglect many basic needs and shows an unwillingness on the part of the society to bargain in good faith, Savannah Symphony Orchestra musicians have rejected management's offer and voted to continue the strike which began September 5th.

Some of the important issues which remained unresolved are:

Unfair Labor Practices - The union has charged the S.S.S. with violating Federal labor law through its use of unfair wage and financial bargaining tactics. Management demands withdrawal of these charges as a condition of settlement.

Control of Musicians' Lives Outside the Workplace - Management continues to demand contract language which would restrict a musician's outside performances with other employers during freetime and between the symphony seasons.

Wages - The latest S.S.S. proposal would increase the core weekly salary by 3% yearly or about $13 per week for the next four years. The 1993-94 section wages were $432 per week for 37 weeks.

Concessions - The S.S.S. continues to demand that musicians surrender gains made as the result of the last strike in 1990. Employee Rights - The S.S.S. continues to demand additional restrictions on the union's power to enforce the contract. The "zipper clause" language proposed would severely reduce collective and individual contractual rights.

The musicians believe that by issuing ultimatums and cancelling the season two months at a time, the Savannah Symphony Society continues to demonstrate that it is not committed to musicians welfare, not committed to providing music to subscribers and donors, and not committed to the institution's future. No further negotiation sessions have been scheduled at this time.
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