from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players' Association
For Immediate Release 11/1/96 Contact: Doug Sommer 770-578-4525 Kill Date: 11/31/96
In a move which seems to indicate little desire for a quick strike settlement, the management of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has announced the cancellation of three weeks of Master Season concerts, leaving the musicians little hope of returning to work before this year's much-anticipated Symphony Ball, on November 16.
This move comprises the largest block yet of advance cancellations. ASO Players' Association President Doug Sommer expressed the musicians' confusion at the inconsistency of management's position: "On one hand, we have management claiming to want an immediate resolution to this strike, and professing a desire to negotiate," says Sommer, "while on the other, they are making no effort to schedule any negotiating meetings, and are canceling concerts far in advance of what is logistically necessary. As has been the case since the strike began, the musicians need only a reasonable contract offer to return to work immediately, but these cancellations call into serious question management's commitment to resolving this crisis in the near future."
The cancelled concerts include choral works with Robert Shaw, a collaboration
with jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, and a concerto featuring ASO Concertmaster
Cecylia Arzewski. The Symphony Ball would occur within the third week of
cancellations, and would go on without the orchestra if no agreement is
reached.
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