Issue:
Issue: March 2015
In the spring of 2011, during its 50th Anniversary season, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Board of Directors voted to cease operations and dissolve the orchestra through bankruptcy. The closure happened just a few weeks before cellist Yo-Yo Ma was to perform, which would have been a highlight of the anniversary year. No ticket refunds were forthcoming from the defunct SSO and many patrons … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
It’s hard to believe it’s been five and a half years since the Honolulu Symphony Society (HSS) canceled concerts and filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in December of 2009, with Chapter 7 liquidation a year later. The death of the 104-year old institution dealt a blow to our community; however, because most of the musicians stayed in Hawaii, and thanks to the efforts of a new group of community … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
Recent days have seen an intense escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, which began in 2013 and led to a revolt that ousted President Viktor Yanukovich in early 2014. When Russia subsequently annexed Crimea, a war ensued between pro-Russian factions and the government established in Ukraine following Yanukovich’s removal from office. The city of Donetsk has taken the brunt of the conflict, with … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
After a long and contentious negotiation, the American Federation of Musicians Negotiating Committee reached an accord for a successor Integrated Media Agreement (IMA). Unlike the prior agreement with individual employers, the new agreement is a multi-employer agreement applicable to all employer members of a newly-formed corporation named the Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Electronic Media … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
Several weeks ago, I worked with ICSOM Chairman Bruce Ridge and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Principal Bassoonist William Short on the publication of an article on the MET Orchestra Musicians’ Web site. The article, entitled “2014: A Great Year for Orchestras (or haven’t you heard?)”, can be found online at … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
In 2010, The Cleveland Orchestra created the Center for Future Audiences. As its name suggests, the Center was created to fund programs that will generate interest in the orchestra’s activities among the youth of Northeast Ohio. The Center received a lead endowment gift of $20 million from the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation. Milton Maltz has said, “Let’s face it, if we don’t get young … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
Over the years, AFM Symphonic Player Conferences, such as ICSOM, have recognized the value of access to and direct engagement with national, state, and municipal policy makers. Legislators, in their turn, support positive government policies that shape our industry. When I returned as Legislative-Political Director of the AFM in 2013, the question I wanted to address is how do we, as a national … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
ICSOM at the Grammys On February 8, the St. Louis Symphony’s recording of John Adams’ City Noir won the Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance. The recording, with David Robertson conducting, is on the Nonesuch label, and includes two recent Adams compositions: City Noir, and the Saxophone Concerto, featuring soloist Timothy McAllister. Both were recorded live at Powell Symphony Hall … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2015
For the last several years, the Governing Board has been putting an emphasis on advocacy. Articles have appeared in this publication, presentations at the annual conference have been solicited; even the conference’s overarching theme last August was “The Art of Advocacy”. Although I have only been on the board for a short while, I am pretty sure that the main impulse behind this advocacy of … [Read more...]
