Issue: June 2023
A lot has happened since the last AFM Convention, and we have asked the delegates of each of our member orchestras to give a sense of what their orchestras have faced in the last few years as well as the challenges they face going forward. Responses were collected during the months of April and May. Charter members of ICSOM are denoted with an asterisk (*). Alabama Symphony Orchestra Founded: … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2023
The lack of racial diversity in the orchestra field has been thoroughly studied and written about for over forty years. Fellowship programs have become the most common approach to increasing onstage diversity. While there have been some success stories—specifically through diversity fellowship programs at various orchestras—we are not yet close to having our orchestras resemble their respective … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2023
I generally shy away from using my own orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as an example for our industry. The average yearly income for most ICSOM orchestras is 40% earned and 60% donated. The LAPhil is just the opposite, about 60% earned and 40% donated, mostly due to income from the Hollywood Bowl summer season. But I will say this. Last month our CEO, Chad Smith, came onstage to … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2023
Now that 2023 has arrived, ICSOM has some notable updates to several of our online offerings. All of them include a passing of the torch from the person who made each of these programs successful. Website Transformation If you have not visited icsom.org since last year, its recent transformation will probably surprise you. Our website began in 1995 and was completely redesigned by former … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2023
Editor’s Note: This article uses the traditional spelling of Hawaiʻi, including the okina character, which Senza Sordino normally omits On January 17, 2023, the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra officially announced that Chinese-Australian conductor Dane Lam would be appointed as Music Director Designate. While the appointment of a new Music Director is exciting for any orchestra to share, it is … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2023
“To my colleagues I give the last word. It is my hope that their legacy of commitment will inspire us all. I hope, also, that these reflections will remind us of the continuing pertinence of their story and the necessity for ongoing vigilance.” These words, penned by author and professional violinist Julie Ayer, appeared in her 2005 book, More Than Meets the Ear: How Symphony Musicians Made … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2023
You could very easily imagine my surprise at the colorful images that appeared in the December 2022 issue of Senza Sordino. My initial thought was that I had mistakenly asked our printer, Colonial Quality Printing, for something that was going to cost a lot more money. However, upon reaching out to John McAdams, he responded that CQP would be switching to color printing in general, and that he … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2022
Recently, there have been a number of legislative issues relevant to ICSOM musicians that have been considered (or even resolved), including the protected status of Pernambuco wood, the primary material used to produce bows for string instruments, as well as a push for musician-friendly legislation in Congress. On November 28, 2022, Heather Noonan, League of American Orchestras Vice President … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2022
Now in my third term as ICSOM President, I am fortunate to have visited a number of our 53 member orchestras. As such trips were paused during the pandemic, I really am glad to be able to return to these in-person meetings, to assist in building the level of open communication that is needed between ICSOM and musician leaders. My fall 2022 travels provided the opportunity for me to meet with … [Read more...]
Issue: Counsel's Columns
As we head into a new bargaining season, one issue that ICSOM negotiating committees might be inclined to bring to the table concerns employer assistance with access to abortion services. Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization that upended decades of (what was assumed to be) settled precedent regarding abortion rights, many employees, especially those in … [Read more...]
