Issue: August 2026
If the way everyone (except librarians) talks about the library is to be believed, and if established contract language is treated as the definitive record of what the job is (or is not, given how many CBA’s lack codified library language), you’d assume the library is a quaint, low-stakes corner of the orchestra. Picture this: A small room filled with ceiling high bookcases. A single … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2024
In my first Senza Sordino column, I outlined my journey to the ICSOM presidency. That journey, if you remember, was an unexpected one, borne from my experiences in the industry that ranged from little things that didn’t work optimally to others that became complete roadblocks. Onstage, we come together to turn silence into beautiful sounds. For two (or so) hours, we set aside our individual selves … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2024
Hello ICSOM colleagues! For those that I have not had the pleasure to address, my name is Nicole Jordan. In my day-to-day work life, I am principal librarian of The Philadelphia Orchestra. I spend my days sharpening pencils, fighting with photocopiers, putting Neosporin on paper cuts, and getting music prepared for my playing colleagues in the orchestra. I now have the distinct honor to serve you, … [Read more...]
Issue: July 2024
It all started because my colleagues knew that I had never been to San Francisco. That was the location of the 2007 ROPA conference, and they thought that their gay colleague should be the ROPA delegate for the Grand Rapids Symphony and take a trip to this city with so much LGBTQ history. So I took the bait, ran for office, won the election, and headed to San Francisco a few months later. Boy, … [Read more...]
Issue: April 2024
As ICSOM President, I have had the privilege of meeting and interacting with many musicians. Here are three that come to mind whenever I need a moment to be inspired and encouraged about our future. Violist Rebecca Matayoshi Last spring I interviewed the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra's current ICSOM delegate, violist Rebecca Matayoshi, for our "Musician Profiles: Celebrating Racial Diversity" … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2023
During the 2022–23 season, I visited ten ICSOM orchestras where I met with musician committees. The common theme for all of the groups was a need for cohesion with their colleagues on the heels of the pandemic. As a result, ICSOM Chairperson Keith Carrick and I presented a breakout session “Building Cohesive Colleagues” at the 2023 ICSOM conference in Milwaukee. Many of the ideas that Keith and … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2023
At the close of our 61st annual conference, Meredith Snow ended a lengthy eighteen-year tenure as a member of ICSOM’s Governing Board. When she attended her first ICSOM conference in 2002, Meredith served as the ICSOM delegate for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Three years later in San Diego, the delegates elected Meredith as a member-at-large on the Governing Board, a position that she would … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2023
It has been said that one acting alone could get the job done quickly, but that they may go farther and have a greater impact by including others in the process. With that ensemble spirit in mind, here are a few examples of how ICSOM and the AFM have been working together recently for the furtherment of our membership. As an example, the delegates of our orchestras have repeatedly requested a … [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: 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...]
