Issue: November 2011
Today is Labor Day, and as a member of the Twin Cities Musicians’ Union and a member of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, it feels like a very good day to reflect on what that means. Last week I volunteered for our local at the AFL-CIO booth at the Minnesota State Fair. In spite of it being the hottest day of the week, it was a very enjoyable experience. There were representatives from a variety … [Read more...]
Issue: November 2011
The San Francisco Opera Company completed an immensely successful Ring Cycle in July—the first Ring Cycle in San Francisco since 1999. At a time when the relevance and significance of the art form are being seriously and repeatedly questioned, the measure of this production’s success is not confined to the numerous accolades garnered by the company and everyone associated with it, as this Ring … [Read more...]
Issue: November 2011
After the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s 75th anniversary season, the musicians returned from their summer break to learn that agreement had been reached for a new contract. The new contract, ratified on September 27, was for an unprecedented five years, ending in 2015–2016. Music Director JoAnn Falletta is currently signed through the same year, which will be her 17th with the BPO. The … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2011
On April 9, 2011 the musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra returned to the stage of Orchestra Hall for the first of two triumphant concerts. Just one day earlier, a vote to ratify the DSO’s new four-year contract had brought an official end to one of the longest strikes in North American orchestra history. Readers of Senza Sordino and visitors to the website detroitsymphonymusicians.org are … [Read more...]
Issue: Chairperson's Reports
Recently WQXR in New York held a panel discussion called American Orchestras: Endangered Species? And, unfortunately, I’m afraid the title of the session betrayed its bias. The session began with the moderator pronouncing that “orchestras from Honolulu to New Mexico to Syracuse have shut down entirely.” It is this sort of misleading language from within our own field that leads to negative … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2011
D espite two stark facts—$140,000,000 in its endowment and no significant debts—the Philadelphia Orchestra Association (POA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 16, 2011. POA board chair Richard Worley claims that various “contractual entanglements threaten our existence.” What the POA seeks was listed in a declaration in support of first-day motions by Worley: “The debtors seek … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2011
In April the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra moved with shocking swiftness from mounting a save-our-symphony-style fundraising campaign to the suspension of operations—and ultimately to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy—all in the midst of the orchestra’s ostensibly celebratory 50th anniversary season. The bankruptcy filing was the culmination of months of panic-motivated decisions on the part of the SSO’s board … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2011
Virginia Symphony musicians performed in a benefit concert on April 14th to support relief efforts of the Red Cross in Japan. The chamber music event was titled “Benefit Concert for Tomodachi” (友達, or tomodachi, being Japanese for “friend” or “friends”). The VSO currently employs five natives of Japan: three performing musicians, a librarian, and a conducting associate. This collaboration included … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2011
AFM President Ray Hair has announced the appointment of Jay Blumenthal as director of Symphonic Services Division and as the Federation’s assistant treasurer. “He is well known for promoting open, honest discussion on difficult issues, in difficult times, in a manner that encourages respect and problem-solving,” said Hair about Blumenthal. Jay Blumenthal performed as a professional musician for … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2011
The 2nd FIM International Orchestra Conference (IOC) was held March 7–9, 2011 in Amsterdam. It was open to musicians and their trade unions from all over the world, as well as to conductors and orchestra managers. Functioning as a space for exchange and dialogue, it was structured in nine panels over two and a half days addressing three main topics: orchestra financing, musicians’ health and … [Read more...]
