Issue: March 2020
On January 30, 2020, the Boston Symphony announced the cancellation of its Asia tour due to novel coronavirus. The tour was scheduled for February 3–17, with eight sold-out concerts in Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Musicians of the BSO were asked to propose concert programs to present in lieu of the tour, as part of a “Chamber Music Neighborhood Tour.” These pop-up concerts were … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2019
A Shared Sing-along In October, the Kansas City Symphony premiered a new work for children’s chorus and orchestra at a series of Young People’s Concerts and the sensory friendly concert Postcards from the Americas. The orchestra’s principal music librarian, Elena Lence Talley, personally commissioned “Come and Sing a Song with Me” from composer Gary Fry. Talley commissioned the work, with … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2019
New Contract and New Leadership The San Francisco Symphony (SFS) recently announced two positive developments. In November, the musicians ratified a four-year agreement with increases in wages and in the defined-benefit pension plan. The contract also includes a provision for shared equity funding, in which the administration will lend money to a musician to help fund a portion of the down … [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
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...]
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: December 2014
Newark Early Strings Program to be Replaced The Newark Early Strings Program (NESP), a community outreach initiative of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the Newark Public Schools, is closing down after 14 years of service, due to reallocation of funding by the Newark School District. Undaunted, the NJSO has just announced a new educational program, to be named Music … [Read more...]
Issue: November 2011
After the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s 75th anniversary season, the musicians returned from their summer break to learn that agreement had been reached for a new contract. The new contract, ratified on September 27, was for an unprecedented five years, ending in 2015–2016. Music Director JoAnn Falletta is currently signed through the same year, which will be her 17th with the BPO. The … [Read more...]
