DOS Orchestra #40 - 17 May, 95

News from the world of professional orchestras.
Copyright 1995, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians

Topics

Ann Arbor May Festival Won't

The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Musical Society announced on May 4 that this year's May Festival, which has featured many major orchestras over its 102-year history, will be the last.

UMS executive director Kenneth Fischer told the Detroit ~Free Press~ that the festival "has continued to pose the significant financial challenge of presenting a world-class orchestra over several days at a time of year when fewer orchestras are touring and when much of the community's concert-going public has left town." Fischer told the paper that the UMS has concluded that it should spend more time and money on other special projects, and cited as an example its recent sponsorship of a complete performance of Chopin's piano music by Garrick Ohlsson over six concerts.

The May Festival hosted the Chicago Symphony from 1905 to 1935 and the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1936 to 1984. Some of the greatest musicians of the era have appeared at the festival, including Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Kreisler, Glenn Gould, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Igor Stravinsky, and Leopold Stokowski.

This year's festival will comprise three concerts; two by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra with conductor James Levine and one with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Boston Symphony: New Principal Guest Conductor?

The Boston Symphony will appoint Bernard Haitink to the position of principal guest conductor, the New York ~Times~ reported on May 16 in an article on the recently concluded Mahler Feest in Amsterdam. Haitink, 66, was music director of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra for many years, and has been a frequent guest conductor with many of the major European and American orchestras.

Chicago Symphony: Principal Trumpet Out for Surgery

Adolf Herseth, veteran principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony, underwent quadruple bypass surgery on May 12 in Chicago. Herseth, who had missed several weeks of the orchestra's season prior to his operation, was reported to be out of intensive care and doing well. He currently plans to return to work at the start of the 1995-96 season in the fall, but will miss the orchestra's upcoming tour of Japan and the Ravinia summer season. His family has requested no cards or calls at this time.

Florida Philharmonic: Emergency Fund Drive

from the management of the Florida Philharmonic, May 12, 1995:

Florida Philharmonic Chairman Martin Coyne today announced the need to raise $1,600,000 before June 30th to ensure the orchestra's continued financial security and operation. A special end-of-the-season, emergency fund-raising effort will be launched Saturday, May 20 with a 14-hour Radiothon on WTMI 93.1 FM and a concert of greatest orchestral hits from this season, led by Music Director James Judd, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

"We are facing an operating deficit this year at least as large as last year's planned $700,000 deficit. The reasons are many, but primarily it was the failure of contributed income to come up to projected expectations. Now is the opportunity for the community to demonstrate its desire and ability to support this magnificent orchestra. I must not underestimate the severity of this situation, but I am optimistic that this community will dig into its pockets and ensure the continuance of the beautiful music that we bring to audiences throughout South Florida," said Philharmonic Chairman Martin Coyne.

Members of the community can support the Philharmonic by participating in any number of fundraising initiatives, ranging from the purchase of a $10 key ring through the Radiothon, to making a donation to attend the May 20 performance, to contributing to the annual fund, or designating a $50,000 gift to the "21st Century Fund," a high level effort mounted to eradicate.this year's shortfall.

"The Florida Philharmonic has been caught up in changing community philanthropic priorities," explained Executive Director John Graham. "This, coupled with overly optimistic revenue projections, has brought us to the point where we must do a total assessment of the orchestra as a business entity and, through significant improvements at all levels and in all areas, establish realistic financial expectations for its continued operation."

A steering committee comprised of musicians, board members and orchestra administrators has been appointed by Mr. Coyne to create a fiscally sound business plan which will result in increased efficiency, reduced costs, protection of the orchestra's artistic integrity, and continued service to the public.

WTMV PHILHARMONIC RADIOTHON

The WTMI/Philharmonic Radiothon, co-hosted by on-air personality Lyn Farmer and Music Director James Judd, airs on 93.1 FM May 20th from 8:00 AM to the 10:00 PM conclusion of the live broadcast of the Broward Center performance. Listeners may call 1 (800) 339-9864 to purchase items donated by orchestra musicians, area restaurants and retailers, and exotic vacation destinations such as London, Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Key West, Wyoming, the Caribbean via Carnival Cruise Lines, and Copenhagen and other northern ports on the five-star, luxury liner, "Silverwind." Listeners may also contribute to challenge funds totaling $ 15,000, which have been issued by board members and trustees.

"PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH" APPRECIATION CONCERT

The Florida Philharmonic musicians and James Judd have donated their services for a performance at Fort Lauderdale's Broward Center for Performing Arts on Saturday evening, May 20 at 8:00 PM as a conclusion to the WTMI Radiothon. Programmed works include Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, "Nimrod" from Elgar's "Enigma" Variations, Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet," and Ravel's "Pavane for a Dead Princess." Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and anyone may attend the performance by making whatever donation they wish. Tickets may be obtained at the Broward Center Box Office, the Florida Philharmonic Box Office at 3401 NW 9th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, at WTMI's studio at 3225 Aviation Avenue in Coconut Grove, or by calling the Philharmonic at 930-1812. Remaining tickets will be available at the Broward Center the day of the performance.

"This concert will give the entire community the opportunity to show their support for these extraordinarily dedicated players and we encourage the audience to give whatever they can to hear this wonderful group of musicians," said Mr. Graham. "No amount is too small, nor, of course, too large." The concert will be broadcast live over WTMI, and phone lines will be open until its conclusion to enable listeners to make contributions during the Radiothon's two-hour concert finale. "We are extremely grateful, " Graham said, " to our friends at the Broward Center for helping to make this Appreciation Concert possible. "

(end of management statement)

Donald Nelson, chair of the orchestra committee of the Florida Philharmonic Musicians' Association, responded to the management announcement with the following statement:

"The board made legal and moral commitments which must be honored. The musicians of the Florida Philharmonic are helping and working with the board and management. Happily, the fact that our four-year agreement has three years left to go means that labor and management will not be sitting on opposite sides of the table for three more years."

"Musicians are doing all they can to facilitate the management and board in their efforts to correct administrative and contributed income shortcomings. To begin with, we have contributed $26,000 worth of services for a benefit concert and thousands of dollars worth of premiums for the Radiothon, in addition to the contribution of performances on the Radiothon. Of course, raising money is not our job; rather, our job is to go on stage and perform. The board's job is to raise the funds needed to have an orchestra of the highest quality, which is the mission of the institution."

Moscow Chamber Orchestra: Problems with the INS

The Moscow Chamber Orchestra's current tour of North America was nearly strangled at birth by an immigration snafu at the US Embassy in Moscow. The orchestra, which was scheduled to depart Moscow for San Francisco on May 4, was stranded at the Moscow airport when the embassy denied visas for the group's travel. The visa denial, later described as a "paperwork mix-up," was corrected and the orchestra allowed to depart on an Aeroflot flight to San Francisco, where it was to play on May 8 as part of the United Nations 50th Anniversary celebration.

The orchestra's San Francisco concert represents a homecoming for music director Constantine Orbelian, who has conducted the orchestra for the past five years. Orbelian,38, is the son of a well-known San Francisco businessman and a graduate of Lowell High School.

Munich Philharmonic: Celibidache Does Break Leg

Sergui Celibidache, music director of the Munich Philharmonic, broke a leg on May 11 at his Florence hotel and returned home to Munich by private jet for surgery. The accident forced the cancellation of his appearance with the orchestra in Florence on May 12.

Zubin Mehta, who had been rehearsing "Aida" in Berlin, flew in to Florence to conduct the concert in Celibadache's place.

NAC Orchestra: New Oboist, Violinist

Charles Hamann has been appointed principal oboist of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra, while Edvard Skerjanc has been appointed to replace retiring violinist Victor Pomer, orchestra officials announced on May 5.

Hamann, 24 years old and a native of Nebraska, replaces Rowland Floyd, a founding member of the orchestra who retired in December. Hamann studied with Richard Killmer at the Eastman School of Music and has served as the orchestra's acting principal oboe for the past two seasons. He won the permanent position through international auditions held in April.

Skerjanc, a native of Belgrade, also replaces a founding member of the orchestra. He has been a frequent substitute musician with the orchestra for the past four years.

San Diego Symphony: Executive Director Resigns

Michael Tiknis, executive director of the San Diego Symphony, resigned his position on May 12, citing health concerns. Tiknis will continue to consult for the orchestra to assist with guest artist bookings and marketing projects, according to orchestra board president Tom Morgan.

The San Diego ~Union-Tribune~ reported that Tiknis threatened last month to resign when his contract expired in August unless the board took steps to fix the orchestra's cash flow problem. The current budget, although on target in terms of earned income, is falling further and further behind the $4 million budgeted figure for contributed income. Tiknis told the San Diego ~Union-Tribune~ two weeks ago that finding the money for the biweekly payroll of $240,000 for musicians and staff "is killing me... because of it, I'm physically sick at times."

Since coming to San Diego less than two years ago from a similar position with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Tiknis has been widely credited with expanding the orchestra's audience and earned revenue. After several years of declining attendance, the orchestra's audience for the winter season has increased approximately 30% per year, while attendance for the SummerPops season has doubled. Tiknis and the orchestra's board also negotiated a new three-year labor agreement with the orchestra's musicians last fall that restored pay cuts the musicians took two and one-half years ago, while the staff received their first salary increases in two years last fall as well.

A week before Tiknis' departure, the board announced "Symphony 2000," a $6 million fund-raising campaign described by the orchestra as "designed to carry the San Diego into the next century debt-free, with a balanced budget and with reserves in the form of an endowment fund." It includes a broad-based membership campaign, a Corporate Partners problems, the "Committee of 1000" matching fund program, and many individual fund-raising events to generate immediate support. "The timing of Michael's departure is particularly difficult for the symphony in that our bold "Symphony 2000" fund-raising effort, which he also helped to create, has just started," said Morgan, "but we realize that his physical well-being must come first, and we are happy that he will continue to serve as a consultant in the areas in which he excels."

On the very same day the new fund-raising campaign was publicly launched, a lawsuit against Tiknis and the orchestra was filed by a former employee who left the orchestra almost a year ago. Facilities manager Karen Anderson, who took a medical leave from her position in July, alleges in the lawsuit that Tiknis subjected her to verbal and physical abuse prior to her leave. Tiknis said that his resignation was unrelated to the lawsuit. "He and I vigorously deny and will defend the charges that have been made," said John Wertz, Tiknis' lawyer.

The orchestra's music director and musicians reacted to the news with praise for Tiknis' accomplishments. Music director Yoav Talmi said that "Michael has contributed tremendously to the general standing of the symphony in the community. His strongest skills were in marketing and he knew how to sell and to market a superb product that we had here before his arrival." Rebekah Campbell, a member of the orchestra and head of the orchestra committee, said that Tiknis "has given the symphony its best gift - the large and enthusiastic audience we always believed would come with the right management. The community and the board need to build on his great work by meeting the fund-raising goals that shore up its foundations."

Morgan said that he will run the orchestra with the help of senior staff. He told the ~Union-Tribune~ that the board will "eventually" conduct a search for a successor to Tiknis.

The San Diego Symphony issued the following press release on May 12:

Tom Morgan, president of the San Diego Symphony Association board of directors, and Michael Tiknis, San Diego Symphony Orchestra executive director, today announced the resignation of Tiknis as executive director citing health-related concerns as the reason for his employment status change.

San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association President Tom Morgan added that "while Michael had previously expressed to the board his desire to resign effective at the end of August when his contract expires, he has now asked the board for an immediate employment status change and the board has agreed due to his continuing physical health concerns."

Morgan said "the orchestra will continue to retain him in a consulting capacity to assist with the booking of guest artists and with marketing projects as his health permits."

"Everyone at the symphony, as well as symphony audiences throughout the community, have benefited from Michael's many accomplishments," said Morgan. "He has successfully increased both audience size and ticket revenues at the rate of thirty percent per year since he first put his marketing and programming expertise to work for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra from the time he joined us two years ago."

Tiknis has restructured the orchestra's administrative staff, increased the number and quality of guest artists and performers, and added several new series, including the popular North Island Federal Credit Union Classic Encounters Rush Hour Series and the two new and very successful series at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, including the upcoming "Beethoven in Escondido" Festival which premiers at the Center in July.

The Tix at Six discount ticket program, which he initiated, has attracted more than 10,000 concertgoers that might otherwise have been unable to afford attending symphony concerts. His partnership with commercial concert promoter Bill Silva added over $400,000 in additional summer income to the symphony's performance activities. The First Interstate Bank Great Performers Series established the viability of indoor summertime classical performances in San Diego. Few other American orchestras have ever experienced such dramatic increases in earned revenues as has been accomplished here during the past two seasons, Morgan noted. This is due in large part to Michael Tiknis' expertise. Tiknis also initiated the Naxos recording contract for the orchestra which will include all the orchestral works of Berlioz.

"The timing of Michael's departure is particularly difficult for the symphony in that our bold "Symphony 2000" fund-raising effort, which he also helped to create, has just started, but we realize that his physical well-being must come first and we are happy that he will continue to serve as a consultant in the areas in which he excels," Morgan said.

The "Symphony 2000" campaign was announced in a press conference last week. It is a fund-raising effort designed to carry the San Diego into the next century debt-free, with a balanced budget and with reserves in the form of an endowment fund. The campaign is a multi-faceted effort that reaches into all segments of the community and includes a broad-based membership campaign, the Corporate Partners program, the Committee of 1000 matching fund program and many individual fund-raising events to generate immediate support. Major corporate sponsors already on board in the "Symphony 2000" effort are Barona Casino, the San Diego County Cadillac Dealers, QUALCOMM, La Costa Resort and Spa, KUSI-TV, Motorola, XETV, Peninsula Bank, VONS markets, Solar Turbines and many others.

In summarizing the importance of Tiknis' role with the orchestra, Morgan referred to a quote of San Diego ~Union-Tribune~ critic-at-large Welton Jones, who wrote in an October 1994 article: "Still, if one management can be singled out at the moment as an example for all, there can be little hesitation over which it is: the San Diego Symphony... this renaissance has blossomed since Michael Tiknis took over as manager last year. So, in the grand tradition of leadership that assigns the skipper both the blame and the credit, to Tiknis go the laurels."

Tiknis added, "I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly dedicated staff, including General Manager Craig Hajduk, Finance Director Ginger Anderson, Marketing Director Maureen McNamara, Tele-Resources Manager David Wallerstein, Ticket Services Director Todd Scarce, Education Director Carl Hermanns, Education Coordinator Frances Fitting, my Assistant LeAnna Zevely, and the recent addition of Development Director Sharon Wilson-Smith: all exhibit the tremendous professionalism that is now present on the symphony administrative staff. I have demanded a great deal from them and they have consistently responded heroically to the substantial challenges of their positions. Music Director Yoav Talmi and Assistant Conductor Jung-Ho Pak are the very heart of the organization and have been tremendous colleagues."

"In addition," Tiknis continued, "no executive director could hope for a more cooperative, generous and understanding group of artists - the musicians of the orchestra. In my twenty years of professional orchestra management, whether it was in San Antonio, Cincinnati, Virginia, Buffalo, or elsewhere, no other group of musicians has more completely demonstrated commitment to the future growth and progress of their orchestra. I shall greatly miss my daily association with them.

"A committed board is the foundation of any arts institution and it has been gratifying to see this real need acknowledged as essential to the orchestra's success. I am delighted to be able to continue to actively consult in marketing and concert programming and am extremely grateful for the board's generous understanding of my medical concerns. I look forward to great success for the orchestra and am happy to have made a contribution to its development," Tiknis concluded.

Deaths

Joan E. Riordan, a former member of the Buffalo Philharmonic, died on March 16 in Middleport (NY). She was 62.

Riordan studied violin at the Eastman School of Music, Fredonia State College and the University of Buffalo. During the 1950's she was concertmaster of the Erie (PA) Philharmonic, and joined the Buffalo orchestra in the 1960's. After leaving the orchestra, she taught in the Lockport (NY) school system.

She is survived by a sister.
Mark Tishler Jr., a advertising executive who raised funds for the Boston Symphony and other groups after he retired from business, died in Falmouth (MA) on May 1. He was 72.

Tishler was a graduate of Union College in Schenectady NY and served in the US Army during World War II. He worked as an advertising executive with H.J. Heinz in Pittsburgh and with the Batten, Barten, Dustin, Osborn Advertising Agency in Boston from 1954 to 1976.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, two sons, a daughter, and eight grandchildren.
Copyright 1995, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians

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