Issue: October 2015
Nearly 100 ICSOM delegates, officers and orchestra members, Local officers, AFM officers and staff, Players Conferences representatives, and attorneys were on hand August 25 to 29, for the 53rd ICSOM Conference at the Sonesta Philadelphia Hotel, and the total would have been even greater if two member orchestras, the Boston and San Francisco Symphonies, hadn’t been on tour in Europe. The 2015 … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
For the first time ever at an ICSOM conference, delegates participated in a community outreach event. Coming together in Philadelphia, Tuesday August 25th on the eve of the official conference opening session, delegates from 12 member orchestras, members of the ICSOM Governing Board, and lCSOM Legal Counsel Susan Martin met at the Broad Street Ministry (BSM), a facility which provides meals and … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
From the first moment of my conscious memory, I have struggled with depression. In the decade that I have spent traveling to meet with musicians, I have often seen a look in the eyes of those in the back of the room that I recognize all too well. Sometimes I understand that it is situational; after all I am often meeting with people fighting for the survival of their orchestras and their careers. … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
We would like to extend our overwhelming thanks to ICSOM for the support you have shown us since Orchestra London Canada (OLC) closed its doors in mid-December of last year. Without your financial support we would have been unable to present any performances since the OLC insolvency. For those of you who are not aware of the circumstances of the #WePlayOn musicians, we would like to give you a … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
Many years ago during a very trying time in our orchestra’s history, our attorney Phil Sipser advised us to take a much more active role in interfacing with our audiences. In those days the only time the public ever heard from the musicians, except for our music, was during difficult contract negotiations. Mr. Sipser told us that going to the audience only during the hard times was disingenuous. … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
Brian Rood Submitted by the ICSOM Governing Board and adopted by unanimous consent Whereas, Brian Rood has held a long and significant leadership role in his orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony and was instrumental in achieving union recognition, the Kansas City Symphony’s first collective bargaining agreement, and in the orchestra’s membership in ICSOM; and Whereas, His activities were … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
New Leadership in Cleveland and Atlanta The Cleveland Orchestra announced that its next Executive Director would be André Gremillet. He will succeed Gary Hansen, who will be retiring with more than 27 years service to the orchestra, including almost 12 years as Executive Director. Gremillet, who is a Quebec native and a conservatory-trained pianist, has previously served as President and CEO of … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
"I never thought I’d have to wear earplugs because of noise from the audience...” said San Diego Symphony violinist John Stubbs. But plug our ears we did for the surprise pop-up Star Wars Fan Appreciation Concert that took place last July. Every summer, thousands of self-proclaimed nerds descend on “America’s Finest City” for the world’s largest Comic-Con, a four day event celebrating everything … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
Although I’ve heard the term countless times, it took many years of playing professionally before I understood what “Giving the Gift of Music” truly means. As a member of the Dallas Symphony for over 15 years, I have never been as proud of my orchestra as I was on Sunday, June 14. That afternoon my wonderful colleagues, led by maestro Gerhardt Zimmerman, gave an inspiring concert to benefit Dallas … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
The Boston Symphony Orchestra returned September 6th from its 18-day tour of European summer music festivals, the first tour with its new Music Director, Andris Nelsons. The Barber/Strauss/and...Tour (say it fast), included the cities of London, Salzburg, Vienna, Lucerne, Milan, Paris, Cologne, and Berlin. Repertoire included Barber’s 2nd Essay, two Strauss tone poems (Don Quixote and Ein … [Read more...]
