Response to Charlottesville

Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board; amended by Andy Bruck (Jacksonville)

Whereas, Orchestral music enlivens the human spirit, brings people together, and comes about as the result of collective action, in which everyone’s contribution is significant and appreciated; and
Whereas, The orchestras of ICSOM welcome people of all races and all religions to their audiences, memberships, managements and boards; and

Whereas, The sentiments of white supremacy, hatred, racism, and bigotry expressed by many of the participants in the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, on August 11 and 12, 2017, are antithetical to the principles of ICSOM and the fundamental objectives of the art of symphonic music; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Delegates and Officers to the 2017 ICSOM Conference state unequivocally their opposition to, and abhorrence of, the divisive and intolerant sentiments expressed at Charlottesville; and, be it further

Resolved, That we call on all elected officials to stand with us in outspoken solidarity in support of inclusiveness.

AFM-EPF

Submitted by Debbie Brooks (Fort Worth), Julie Edwards (Utah), Alex Kienle (Dallas), Norbert Nielubowski (Minnesota), Ethan Silverman (NYC Ballet), Dan Sweeley (Buffalo); amended by Kimberly Tichenor (Louisville) and Martin Andersen (New Jersey)

Whereas, The American Federation of Musicians and Employers Pension Fund (“AFM-EPF”) is a crucial part of retirement planning for thousands of ICSOM musicians and their families; and

Whereas, Significant time at the 2017 ICSOM Conference was spent discussing the current state of the AFM-EPF; and

Whereas, Great concern arose in many quarters as a result of the December 2016 letter from the Trustees; and

Whereas, Delegates continue to have many questions following the AFM-EPF Trustees’ presentation at the 2017 ICSOM Conference; and

Whereas, Our member orchestras comprise AFM-EPF participants of all ages, who have a vested interest in the long-term health of the AFM-EPF; and

Whereas, Equal representation of all constituencies at all stages of their careers is vital; and

Whereas, Frank and open communication is an essential component of moving forward, finding solutions, and building trust between the Trustees and AFM-EPF participants; and

Whereas, ICSOM is grateful to Brian Rood and Laura Ross, who have volunteered their time and energy to be our ICSOM Trustee representatives; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Delegates to the 2017 ICSOM conference wish to ensure that every ICSOM member be aware of, and understand, the challenges facing the AFM-EPF; and, be it further

Resolved, That our ICSOM Trustee representatives have our full support, faith, and trust as they conduct their business as Trustees; and, be it further

Resolved, That ICSOM, on behalf of its members, requests continued candor and transparency from the AFM-EPF; and, be it further

Resolved, That all ICSOM members empower and educate themselves by registering on the official AFM-EPF website (http://www.afm-epf.org) and by availing themselves of all the information there about the AFM-EPF and their own personal accounts.

National “Right-to-Work” Legislation

Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board

Whereas, On February 1, 2017, Representative Steve King (R-IA) introduced H.R. 785, the “National Right-to-Work Act,” in the United States House of Representatives, and on March 7, 2017, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced similar legislation, S. 545, in the United States Senate; and

Whereas, Certain provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 allow states to adopt anti-labor, so-called “right-to-work” laws; and

Whereas, Such “right-to-work” laws have undermined unions for 70 years by allowing individuals who work under collectively bargained agreements to “free ride” by enjoying virtually all the benefits of union representation without being required to join or financially support their unions; and

Whereas, “Right-to-work” laws have never had anything to do with workers’ “rights,” but instead seek to benefit employers at the expense of workers’ ability to obtain improvements in the terms and conditions of their employment; and

Whereas, “Right-to-work” laws can compromise our locals’ abilities to support our member orchestras; and

Whereas, A national “right-to-work” law as proposed in H.R. 785 and S. 545 will cause irreparable harm to unions in the United States and to the rights of workers generally, including musicians; therefore, be it

Resolved, That Delegates and Officers to the 2017 ICSOM Conference declare their opposition to H.R. 785 and S. 545; and, be it further

Resolved, That ICSOM supports the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada in its efforts to lobby against H.R. 785 and S. 545.

ICSOM Online Conductor Evaluation Pilot Program

Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board

Whereas, The long-established and, in its time, groundbreaking ICSOM Conductor Evaluation Program was discontinued by Wayne State University several years ago; and

Whereas, It has proven useful for many orchestras to evaluate guest and staff conductors in a confidential way; and

Whereas, ICSOM, ROPA, and OCSM have had an agreement since 1990 to occasionally share information on conductors in each conference’s database; and

Whereas, It is important to provide conductor evaluation information to search and conductor renewal committees of ICSOM orchestras in a protected manner; and

Whereas, The Governing Board of ICSOM has researched methods to administer a potential new online ICSOM centralized program; and

Whereas, The Delegates have indicated when surveyed that such a program could be useful to replace or augment their orchestra’s individual conductor evaluation programs and should be made available to any orchestra that wishes to try such a system; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Delegates to the 2017 ICSOM Conference authorize the Governing Board to establish a pilot Online Conductor Evaluation Program and to report back to the Delegates at the 2018 ICSOM Conference.

George Brown

Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board and adopted by unanimous consent

Whereas, George Brown began his career as a member of the Coast Guard Band and the US Armed Forces Bicentennial Band; and

Whereas, Following military service, he became a member of the Louisville Orchestra, and later the Colorado Springs Symphony and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería in Mexico City, until in 1987 he was appointed principal timpanist of the Utah Symphony, a position he still holds; and

Whereas, George Brown has been active serving his orchestra on nearly every musicians’ committee including the orchestra committee, as an executive board member of Local 104 AFM, and as ICSOM Delegate from 2006-13; and

Whereas, He is the founder of the Utah Symphony musicians’ “Fourth Wall Group” that is responsible for organizing and spearheading the musicians’ public relations and outreach activities within the community; and

Whereas, In 2015 George Brown added the role of ICSOM President to his list of accomplishments, and from which he now steps away; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Officers and Delegates to the 2017 ICSOM Conference thank George Brown for his vision and leadership, and wish him continued success in his remaining years with the Utah Symphony and in all his future activities.

Paul Gunther

Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board and adopted by unanimous consent

Whereas, Paul Gunther began his musical career as a percussionist, majoring in music theory and composition; and

Whereas, For two years he served as a member of the 423rd Army Band until his honorable discharge as a conscientious objector; and

Whereas, He joined the Minnesota Orchestra from 1975-78 as the orchestra’s Assistant Librarian before moving to the Milwaukee Symphony to serve as its Chief Librarian from 1978-86; and

Whereas, In 1986, Paul Gunther returned to the Minnesota Orchestra as its Principal Librarian, until stepping down after 30 years and serving a final season as part-time librarian before his retirement in 2017; and

Whereas, Paul Gunther’s work ethic and dedication to service and volunteerism has manifested in a wide variety of ways – as a regular blood donor, as a member of the board of his housing association, as ICSOM Delegate for the Minnesota Orchestra from 2004-07 and as Alternate Delegate on numerous other occasions, proofing countless articles and minutes for ICSOM Governing Board members, and serving as Orchestra-L moderator and working on the ICSOM Directory; and

Whereas, He must hold a very special place in the hearts of orchestral librarians everywhere as a founding member of the Major Orchestra Librarians Association (MOLA) in 1982, for which he served six years on the organization’s board and two terms as president; and

Whereas, Even in “retirement” he continues his library work, this time with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for its 2017-18 season; and

Whereas, Paul Gunther steps down after serving 11 seasons as ICSOM Member at Large, working not only with his assigned orchestras but also the wider ICSOM membership; and

Whereas, His cheery disposition, thoughtfulness and keen eye will be greatly missed by his colleagues on the Governing Board; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Officers and Delegates to the 2017 ICSOM Conference offer their appreciation and gratitude to Paul Gunther for his tireless efforts to improve the lives of orchestral musicians and librarians around the world and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.