Issue: March 2015
Recent days have seen an intense escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, which began in 2013 and led to a revolt that ousted President Viktor Yanukovich in early 2014. When Russia subsequently annexed Crimea, a war ensued between pro-Russian factions and the government established in Ukraine following Yanukovich’s removal from office. The city of Donetsk has taken the brunt of the conflict, with … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
After a long and contentious negotiation, the American Federation of Musicians Negotiating Committee reached an accord for a successor Integrated Media Agreement (IMA). Unlike the prior agreement with individual employers, the new agreement is a multi-employer agreement applicable to all employer members of a newly-formed corporation named the Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Electronic Media … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
Several weeks ago, I worked with ICSOM Chairman Bruce Ridge and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Principal Bassoonist William Short on the publication of an article on the MET Orchestra Musicians’ Web site. The article, entitled “2014: A Great Year for Orchestras (or haven’t you heard?)”, can be found online at … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
In 2010, The Cleveland Orchestra created the Center for Future Audiences. As its name suggests, the Center was created to fund programs that will generate interest in the orchestra’s activities among the youth of Northeast Ohio. The Center received a lead endowment gift of $20 million from the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation. Milton Maltz has said, “Let’s face it, if we don’t get young … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
Over the years, AFM Symphonic Player Conferences, such as ICSOM, have recognized the value of access to and direct engagement with national, state, and municipal policy makers. Legislators, in their turn, support positive government policies that shape our industry. When I returned as Legislative-Political Director of the AFM in 2013, the question I wanted to address is how do we, as a national … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
ICSOM at the Grammys On February 8, the St. Louis Symphony’s recording of John Adams’ City Noir won the Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance. The recording, with David Robertson conducting, is on the Nonesuch label, and includes two recent Adams compositions: City Noir, and the Saxophone Concerto, featuring soloist Timothy McAllister. Both were recorded live at Powell Symphony Hall … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
For the last several years, the Governing Board has been putting an emphasis on advocacy. Articles have appeared in this publication, presentations at the annual conference have been solicited; even the conference’s overarching theme last August was “The Art of Advocacy”. Although I have only been on the board for a short while, I am pretty sure that the main impulse behind this advocacy of … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2014
On November 13, 2014, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra returned to Symphony Hall stage to a reception that more closely resembled that of fans at a highly anticipated sports event. Music Director Robert Spano conducted, Concertmaster David Coucheron played a Mozart concerto, and the ASO Chorus joined the orchestra for a rendition of the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven. This concert also marked the end … [Read more...]
Issue: Chairperson's Reports
On August 25, 2012, the management of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Board of the Woodruff Arts Center locked out the musicians of the Atlanta Symphony. On September 7, 2014, the management of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Board of the Woodruff Arts Center locked out the musicians of the Atlanta Symphony. In an often misattributed and perhaps apocryphal quote, it has been … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2014
During the week of 17-23 November, 2014, for the first time, orchestra musicians and their trade unions in all countries with a symphonic tradition took part in a global campaign to alert audiences and political decision makers about a situation that has become critical. Financing of symphony orchestras has been one of the main topics addressed by the FIM International Orchestra Conference in … [Read more...]
