Issue: December 2018
My mind has been dwelling inordinately of late on loss; my father-in-law passed away on October 28. Of course, loss is inevitable, for none of us is immortal. But his death was not the result of the inevitable toll of time and aging. Rather, it occurred in tragic circumstances. The news reports of the incident did not give his name or condition, but merely reported that an 80-year old man had … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2018
My International Initiation with the Baltimore Symphony It was big news when it was announced that the Baltimore Symphony (BSO) would be going on its first international tour in 13 years, one that would include stops at some of Europe’s most exciting classical music festivals. When I was asked to join the orchestra on this adventure, and as its newest member, I was positively thrilled. An … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2017
Executive Changes In March, the New York Philharmonic announced that Deborah Borda, longtime President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, would be replacing Matthew VanBesien as President and CEO, in September. The move represents a return for Borda, who previously served as the Executive Director of the New York orchestra from 1991 to 1999. In Los Angeles she oversaw the construction of the Walt … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2016
Indianapolis Builds Momentum The Musicians of the Indianapolis Symphony have ratified a new three-year contract. The new agreement, reached over a year in advance of the current deal’s expiration, runs through the 2019-2020 season. After suffering through a lock out in 2012 and two recent concessionary contracts, the musicians will see their annual salary increase 9.3% over the three years, … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2016
The League of American Orchestras recently announced the five winners of the inaugural Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service, three of whom are members of ICSOM orchestras. For the purposes of the award, community service is intended to be meaningful service through music: education and community engagement programs at schools, hospitals, retirement homes, community and social … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2016
A Century of Sound Baltimore Symphony oboist Michael Lisicky, also nationally known as a department store historian, author, and lecturer, has written a book about the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s first one hundred years, entitled Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: A Century of Sound. Lisicky has done extensive research through BSO archives, as well as information gathered from other sources, … [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: May 2015
After resident Freddie Gray died while in the custody of Baltimore Police, protestors took to the streets of downtown Baltimore seeking justice. Following a week of peaceful protests, the demonstrations turned violent on April 25, as protestors attacked a number of downtown businesses and disrupted an Orioles game at Camden Yards. Several arrests were made and about a dozen police officers were … [Read more...]
Issue: May 2015
NYCO Honors Rudel NYCO Renaissance and the Rudel Family presented a musical tribute to Maestro Julius Rudel on March 9th at Rose Hall. Rudel passed away last June, and he made explicit that he did not want any memorial service. His last public appearance had been at NY City Center at the NYCO 70th Anniversary concert, presented by Local 802 in February 2014. Rudel had spent much of his career … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2014
Atlanta Locked Out At midnight, September 6, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians found themselves locked out for the second time in two years. Management of the ASO/WAC (Woodruff Art Center, the parent corporation) issued a Last, Best and Final proposal to the negotiating committee by email on September 5, and a subsequent counterproposal was dismissed as “inadequate.” Health insurance is … [Read more...]
