The 2007-08 season, my second as Chair of ICSOM, has been a very active year. Two of our orchestras faced major difficulties, and our membership rose to their aid in an inspirational show of unity. As this report will show, the work has been non-stop, but it is an honor to work on behalf of the great musicians and friends within ICSOM, and a great joy to work with the members of your Governing Board.
Orchestra Site Visits
The Florida Orchestra (September 16-18)
ICSOM President Brian Rood and I traveled to Tampa, where we were also joined by Distinguished ICSOM Legal Counsel Leonard Leibowitz. The Florida Orchestra was in the midst of difficult negations, and we were all able to meet with the orchestra, the committee, and local union officials. I remained to meet with the executive director and board leadership the next day.
Jacksonville (January 13-15)
One of the most significant events of this season was the lockout of the Jacksonville Symphony. ICSOM issued a Call to Action to raise money for the locked-out musicians, as their health insurance was due to be cut off. The musicians of ICSOM, along with support from our friends in RMA, ROPA, TMA and OCSM, sent $95,000 to assist the musicians. That incredible show of solidarity made all the difference. I traveled to Jacksonville on January 13. The Times-Union newspaper ran an editorial I had written about the lockout that morning.
During my visit to Jacksonville, I met with the Orchestra Committee, the entire orchestra, the board leadership, the executive director, and community supporters. I also attended benefit concerts, and briefly addressed the audience as well as appearing on a two hour radio call-in show. I stayed to participate in the negotiations along with the committee and Leonard Leibowitz. The lockout came to an end that week. The service and dedication of the musician leadership in Jacksonville was inspirational, and the unity within ICSOM played a major role.
Columbus (May 19-21)
I went to Columbus to meet with the orchestra committee, local union officers, and board leadership. Together with the musicians of the Columbus Symphony, we held a news conference to advocate for the orchestra’s survival. Management has proposed a draconian reduction in the budget, and as of this writing the situation remains unresolved. During my time in Columbus, I also met with several members of the press and gave a brief radio interview. On June 20, ICSOM issued another Call to Action to raise funds for the musicians of the orchestra, since management had effectively terminated their CBA and canceled the summer season. Health Insurance was to have been cut off on June 30. In the first 19 days since the Call to Action was issued, over $70,000 was sent. Once again, the unity and solidarity of our community orchestras is impressive. We all must stay in touch with the situation in Columbus.
League of American Orchestras
I continued to be in frequent contact with the leadership of the League of American Orchestras (formerly American Symphony Orchestra League). This season I was once again invited to lecture at the Orchestra Leadership Academy in New York (January 4-7). Leonard Leibowitz, and also Laura Brownell, director of the Symphonic Services Division of the AFM joined me. I spoke on a variety of issues, while serving on panels with other musicians and some of the most prominent managers in our field.
Federation International des Musicians (FIM)
I attended the first international meeting of FIM in Berlin (April 5-11). The conference was also attended by AFM President Tom Lee, Secretary/Treasurer Sam Folio, Vice-President from Canada Bill Skolnik, Laura Brownell, OCSM President Francine Schutzman, and ROPA President Tom Fetherston. I was asked to participate in a panel on the role of artists in Society, and my remarks can be found here.
This was an inspiring gathering of musicians and arts leaders from 38 nations. It was a pleasure to attend a concert by the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. I was also able to attend a concert of the Berlin Philharmonic with Francine Schutzman at the Philharmonie. We were both given a tour of backstage by Violist Mathew Hunter (formerly a member of the Columbus Symphony).
This was my first visit to Berlin, and it was very educational. I feel I came back with a greater awareness, and I learned more than I can say simply by listening to great Berlin Philharmonic.
Players Conference Council
The Players’ Conference Council consists of the heads of the five Players’ Conferences within the AFM. The RMA (Recording Musicians Association), ROPA (Regional Orchestra Players’ Association), OCSM (Organization of Canadian Symphonic Musicians) and TMA (Theater Musicians’ Association). ICSOM’s relationship with our fellow PCs is of critical importance, and the PCC remains in close contact. In the summer of 2007, I attended both the ROPA and OCSM conferences, and again this summer I will travel to Houston for the ROPA Conference and Victoria for the OCSM Conference. On June 22 and 23, the PCC met with the IEB in Las Vegas along with the LCC (Locals’ Conference Council). These meetings occur in years in which there is no AFM Convention.
On May 13, ROPA President Tom Fetherston resigned his position, and Vice-President Carla Lehmeier-Tatum is now serving as President.
As has been widely discussed, the conflicts between the AFM administration and the RMA continue to cause great concern within the PCC and the AFM at large. At last year’s conference, the delegates of ICSOM passed a resolution calling for unity within the AFM, but the conflict continues to exist.
Symphonic Services Division (SSD)
Laura Brownell, Director of the Symphonic Services Division of the AFM, announced on June 30 that she will be resigning her position in order to take a new job with the Society of Energy Professionals in Toronto, effective August 5.
The Governing Board of ICSOM wishes to thank Laura for her service to the AFM and symphonic musicians everywhere, and we wish her all the best in her new endeavors.
Media
The ICSOM Media Committee, under the leadership of Chair Bill Foster, has been active this year.
The Media Committee met in Chicago on January 14. I was not in attendance, as I had to be in Jacksonville that day.
Many members of the Media Committee joined with leaders from orchestras across the country for the AFM Media Summit, held in Alexandria, Virginia on November 11-12. The conversations there led to the initiation of framework discussions with the managers towards a negotiation that could lead to an integrated media agreement in conjunction with the Audio Visual Agreement. These three discussions were held on November 18-19, May 12, and June 30. These discussions have been reported in detail through delegate-l postings dated May 9 and June 27. The managers have now agreed to initiate the negotiation, and it is expected that we will resume meetings in late September.
Collaborative Data Project (CDP)
Discussions have continued in the on-going CDP with representatives of the League of American Orchestras, the AFM, ICSOM and ROPA. There was not a great deal of activity this year, but we did meet in Chicago on June 2. More meetings will be held after the summer. ICSOM President Brian Rood and I are the ICSOM representatives for this project. The League has long collected data called Orchestra Statistical Reports (OSR). But, that information was not made available to musicians until the onset of the CDP. It is hoped that through the work of the CDP the field can have a set of statistics that we all can agree on. This is a huge project, and involves many details as you can imagine.
Mellon Foundation
I attended the Mellon Orchestra Forum in Northern Virginia (May 4-6). Much has been written about the work of the Mellon Foundation, and in turn the Elephant Task Force (ETF). One of the results of this work was the commissioning of a report by Stanford professor Robert Flanagan, commonly referred to as “The Flanagan Report”, but officially titled “The Economic Environment of American Symphony Orchestras.” There was much in this report that we have vigorously protested, both prior to and following its release. My response was posted on orchestra-l on March 28, and it has been widely circulated. Currently, it can be found on the here.
General Activities
The position of ICSOM Chair is rewarding, but the task is at times quite daunting. It is nearly a full-time job. I receive an average of one hundred e-mails a day, and it is a challenge to stay on top of my inbox (I have noticed, however, that I seem to receive fewer e-mails on Sunday!) I remain in telephone contact with many AFM officials, as well as musicians and managers across the country. The calls seek input on everything from contract interpretation and administration, to searches for managerial and music director positions, and assistance in negotiations. I welcome these calls, and I hope that every members of ICSOM feels free to call me at any time. The dedication of our musicians is truly inspirational to me, and it strengthens me as I seek to serve the field to the best of my ability and energies.
ICSOM Governing Board (GB)
Your GB has been incredibly active this year. We hold monthly marathon conference calls that sometimes go into the early hours of the morning. We also held our annual mid-winter meeting on February 17-19 in Kansas City. I was very happy to receive an advance outside look at the construction of the magnificent new concert hall in KC, which should be open in the next few seasons. It was also a pleasure to meet with many members of the Kansas City Symphony at Brian Rood’s home. Meeting with the musicians of orchestras is absolutely one of my favorite parts of my role as ICSOM Chair. I am constantly enlightened by them all.
My colleagues on the ICSOM Governing Board are a constant source of inspiration to me. Their level of dedication is amazing, and I am never happier than I am when working with them all. The board works constantly to be a model of inclusiveness, and everyone works together to express all viewpoints openly and in the most considerate and effective manner possible.
ICSOM President Brian Rood is a constant confidant. There are very few days that go by when Brian and I don’t call each other multiple times, analyzing every decision we might make. Brian’s integrity is unassailable, and he is profoundly respected throughout the field. His wisdom is invaluable, and he is the most supportive friend that musicians could ever seek to have.
Secretary Laura Ross is an absolute marvel. She is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met, and she can answer any question about any issue I can think of. Time and time again I turn to her for advice and information. Her work ethic is unparalleled. She turns out volumes of notes for every conference call, both for the GB and the Media Committee, as well as documenting everything that our delegates need. At virtually any time, day or night, it is a safe bet that Laura is working harder than anyone else on behalf of her colleagues.
Treasurer Michael Moore guards your dues money with great responsibility. He is constantly coming up with ways to make ICSOM function more efficiently, and it is through his efforts that we are able to accomplish so much on such a limited budget.
Richard Levine, editor of Senza Sordino, has helped to turn Senza into a widely read and anticipated publication. This year we began sending copies of Senza to all AFM Locals, and I receive many reports about how appreciated it is as a publication.
Our Members-at-Large have helped to foster an improved dialogue between our delegates and the Governing Board. Paul Gunther continues to be a great confidant to me, and assists me in the first draft of virtually everything that I write. Meredith Snow is invaluable to us all as the wit and wisdom of the board, capable of cutting straight to the core of any issue. Cathy Payne has brought great energy to the GB in her first year, and has been an absolutely invaluable member of the Media Committee as well.
This year, James Nickel had to step away from the board, and we certainly miss him. But, we understand his reasons. Not only did he and his wife welcome their second child, but James won a new position and will be joining the National Symphony next season. His achievements have been impressive and inspirational to us all.
On May 25, the GB appointed Matt Comerford to complete James’ term as Member-at-Large. Matt has joined the board with great enthusiasm, and he is also a very active member of the Media Committee.
ICSOM’s legendary relationship with our Distinguished Counsel, Leonard Leibowitz, continues and approaches 40 years. This year I have worked even more closely with Lenny in Jacksonville and Columbus, as well as in presentations for the League and in every Governing Board decision. Musicians everywhere should recognize the contributions he has made to our livelihood.
As you can tell, it is a joy for me to work with these people. We express our viewpoints in a respectful environment that I believe serves our colleagues well. I am incredibly grateful to work so closely with this board, and I am in their debt for all of the support and assistance they have offered me this season.
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Composing a year-end report of this nature is a difficult task; so much happens on a daily basis that it is impossible to summarize it all with any brevity. I feel it has been a good year for ICSOM, and I am optimistic about the unity that has been demonstrated through the Calls to Action. But, we must never be complacent. We are not without our problems. We must continue to work to facilitate a positive dialogue, and we need to continue to be a source of unity within a union that must resolve many difficult issues.
As we move forward to face the tasks before us, your Governing Board and I will continue asking for your guidance and assistance, and we look forward to strengthening our relationships.
Thank you for the honor of serving as your chair.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce RidgeJuly 11, 2008