Peter de Boor, Author at Senza Sordino

A Different View of How To Fix What Ails American Orchestras: A Food-for-Thought Perspective

Issue: July 2007

by Lucinda Lewis

Issue: July 2007

Establishing economic stability and community relevance have proven to be constant challenges for American orchestras, and of course, musicians have paid the highest price throughout this battle for survival. Cuts in weeks and wages have become the traditional response to orchestras’ economic troubles but have never succeeded as a legitimate bridge to a long-term fix. So it’s not all that … [Read more...]

Impressions of an AFM Convention

Issue: July 2007

by Paul Gunther, ICSOM Member-at-Large

Issue: July 2007

A question occurred to me as soon as I arrived at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. It was reinforced at the Riviera Hotel (not Las Vegas’s finest, by a long shot). “Why Las Vegas?” Surely one could offer fifty other cities that would better dispose delegates and attendees to the business at hand. But as the days sped by, I understood that the city’s overall tackiness, its heightened … [Read more...]

Travels Without Charley

Issue: May 2007

by Bruce Ridge, ICSOM Chairperson

Issue: May 2007

A few late nights ago, with the help of a mileage-calculating website, I added up my travels for ICSOM and other orchestral industry activities over the past fifteen months or so. I was only slightly surprised when I finished the math to see that I had flown over 40,000 miles during that span. I have met with musicians across the country, addressed young people entering the arts management field, … [Read more...]

Chairperson’s Report

Issue: May 2007

By Bruce Ridge

Issue: May 2007

A Call to Action As the biennial Convention of the American Federation of Musicians approaches (June 18–20 in Las Vegas), the ICSOM Governing Board and, indeed, orchestra musicians all across the country have been awaiting the recommendations and resolutions to be considered there by our local delegates. As always, there are many issues of concern for musicians from ICSOM orchestras, but we are … [Read more...]

President’s Report

Issue: May 2007

By Brian Rood

Issue: May 2007

As the end of another concert season draws near, many ICSOM orchestras find themselves in the midst of negotiations. A few have already settled, while many others are in negotiations or scheduled to begin. Before addressing these negotiations, I would like to reference the reasons behind ICSOM’s creation. It is important to remember that the right to form orchestra committees, to participate in … [Read more...]

Secretary’s Report

Issue: May 2007

by Laura Ross

Issue: May 2007

As my orchestra prepares for negotiations here in Nashville— the first in our new hall—I have begun to reflect upon our own bargaining history and how it has been impacted by ICSOM's relationship with the AFM. As ICSOM celebrates its 45th year, we once again will send a delegation of representatives to the AFM Convention, this year being held June 18–20 in Las Vegas. With the attendance of … [Read more...]

What’s Happening to the Audition System?

Issue: May 2007

by Elaine Douvas, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Issue: May 2007

[Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, space constraints prevented a more timely publication. As a result, some reporting on the state of U.S. oboe auditions is no longer current.] It looked like a great year for oboe players, with nine fantastic jobs to try out for: principal in San Diego, Los Angeles Opera, Atlanta, Cincinnati, … [Read more...]

Off the Record

Issue: Counsel's Columns

by Leonard Leibowitz, (Distinguished) ICSOM Legal Counsel

Issue: May 2007

Recently, a representative of an ICSOM orchestra asked me about “off the record” meetings. My definition of such meetings is that they are collective bargaining sessions which are attended by only one or two members of each team, and they are designed to create an atmosphere in which the parties can freely express their positions and exchange ideas for the ultimate resolution of the outstanding … [Read more...]

Orchestra Newslets

Issue: May 2007

Newslets are compiled with the help of ICSOM delegates and ICSOM Members at Large from sources that include direct submissions, member orchestra websites, and topical news items. The editor encourages input and submissions. The National Symphony Orchestra’s new Principal Guest Conductor, Ivan Fischer, of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, has led two subscription programs so far this season. One … [Read more...]

Resolutions for the AFM Convention Sponsored by ICSOM

Issue: May 2007

ICSOM Resolution #1 Regarding OSP Language WHEREAS, It is AFM policy to provide the best possible representational services to its members; and WHEREAS, One of the programs used to implement that policy for symphonic members is the Orchestra Service Program (OSP); and WHEREAS, The current Orchestra Service Program by-law provides only one method of insuring that Symphonic members receive … [Read more...]

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