Issue: October 2013
Director/Camera: Amie Williams. Producer: Kathryn Takis. Executive Producers: Marge Tabankin, Doug Pray, Bill W. Hirsch, Scott Verges. Additional Camera: Arlene Nelson. Editors: Bill Haugse, Todd Darling. Original Score: Mark Tschanz. Music: Liam Gerber, Tom Morello, Aaron Nevi. Presented by Bal Maiden Films, Public Interest Pictures, and Peer Review Films. 105 minutes. $19.95 (DVD). Official … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2013
The Cycle: A Practical Approach to Managing Arts Organizations, by Michael M. Kaiser with Brett E. Egan Hardcover/Ebook 212 pages $26.95 Brandeis University Press Published September 3, 2013 ISBN-10: 1611684005 ISBN-13: 978-1611684001 Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has released The Cycle: A Practical Approach to Managing Arts … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2013
Within the past few months, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra negotiated a new three-year contract, launched its music and wellness website, and completed its fortieth major tour. Pittsburgh delegate Penny Brill reports on the developments. In June the PSO ratified a new contract that calls for a 4% raise the first year, a freeze the second, and a 3% raise in the third. The increases were … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2013
Honoring Cathy Payne Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board Whereas, Cathy Payne has been a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the San Francisco Symphony since 1996; and Whereas, She first represented her orchestra as ICSOM Delegate in 1998; and Whereas, Cathy proved to be an active and passionate representative for all ICSOM orchestras when she was elected as Member-at-Large in 2007; … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2013
The 99th AFM Convention, held July 22–25 at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, has to be noted for the unprecedented spirit and unity exhibited throughout the entire four days of meetings. ICSOM Chairperson Bruce Ridge, ICSOM President Brian Rood, and I attended as the ICSOM’s elected delegates to the AFM Convention. ICSOM Secretary Laura Ross and ICSOM Treasurer Michael Moore were … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2013
On April 29, 2013, after 17 months of negotiations, the musicians of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra ratified a “return to work” agreement, effective April 30 through June 30, 2013, and a three-year agreement spanning July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2016. This ratification came after a 191-day lockout during which the musicians received no salary or benefits. It was the first work stoppage in the … [Read more...]
Issue: Chairperson's Reports
In a time when we all are confronted with a daily onslaught of pessimism, some good news could be found in the release of the BCA (Business Committee for the Arts) National Survey of Business Support for the Arts, conducted by our friends at Americans for the Arts. The survey, which can be obtained here, found that arts contributions continue to recover from the depths of the recession. From … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2013
Orchestra of Exiles (2012) Director Josh Aronson Aronson Films Production, 85 minutes www.pbs.org/wnet/orchestra-of-exiles (also available from other sources, including Amazon and Netflix) In 1993, Steven Spielberg brought the heroism of Oskar Schindler to the attention of the world through an Oscar-winning film that educated a generation about Schindler’s efforts to save the lives of over … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2013
At the beginning of April, musicians and management of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra reached agreement on a new two-year contract. The musicians’ negotiating committee supplied the details that follow. After unilaterally declaring an impasse in September 2012, management imposed a 20% reduction in base salaries and reduced the season from 37 to 33 weeks. The musicians filed a bad faith … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2013
One of the most amazing aspects of the present age is the ability to carry useful tools for concert preparation and teaching in our pockets. In this article I’ll introduce but a few of the best of the current crop, with emphasis on inexpensive mobile applications (“apps”) for iOs devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch). Need a full-featured tuner? I recommend two apps that utilize the … [Read more...]
