Issue: December 2018
Si Otsedoha: We’re Still Here The North Carolina Symphony (NCS) gave powerful, emotional performances of the new work Si Otsedoha (We’re Still Here) across the state of North Carolina during one week in October. Cherokee Central Schools students from the Cherokee Chamber Singers performed in traditional Cherokee garments. Audiences in Raleigh, Wilmington, Boone, and Cherokee gave the work … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2018
After ten long and painful years, the Musicians and Board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) agreed to a progressive contract this summer that provides the first real economic gains for the musicians since 2008. Because central Ohio is a large and very prosperous part of our country, it has been difficult and frustrating waiting for this recovery to begin. Many CSO musicians have wondered … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2018
ICSOM at the Grammys A number of ICSOM orchestras released recordings in 2017 that captured Grammy awards, announced at the 60th annual ceremony on January 28. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s recording of Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and Barber Adagio for Strings won the awards for Best Orchestral Performance and Best Engineered Album, Classical. The performances were conducted by the … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2016
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO’s) community outreach has been on the upswing over the past two years, in more ways than one. Like many orchestras, the CSO has been sending ensembles into the community for decades. But in the aftermath of serious financial troubles, which began in 2008, the orchestra has re-defined itself as more of a community service organization. The CSO board considered … [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...]
Issue: March 2011
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is in the midst of its 75th season. In celebration of this milestone, Buffalo Heritage Unlimited, in cooperation with the BPO, has published The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra: The BPO Celebrates the First 75 Years. This highly informative volume outlines the history of the orchestra from its inception to the present with a wealth of photographs and text. In … [Read more...]
Issue: July 2009
After a spirited discussion on April 22, the members of the Chicago Symphony overwhelmingly approved a small package of contract modifications. The package includes a temporary 2.5% reduction in base scale (for 104 consecutive weeks), temporary changes in the hiring of subs, two additional free concerts in the next two years, postponing the filling of four vacancies, and one small change to tour … [Read more...]
Issue: August 2008
On January 18, 2008, the Columbus Dispatch reported the results of a “Strategic Plan” prepared by the board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO). The plan concluded, and the Dispatch reported, that the CSO budget was to be cut immediately by $3 million—from $12.5 million to $9.5 million. This was to be accomplished, in part, by firing 22 of the 53 full-time musicians and cutting the 46-week … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2008
Newslets are compiled with the help of ICSOM’s delegates and members at large from sources that include direct submissions, member orchestra websites, and topical news items. The editor encourages input and submissions. In January, months before contract negotiations were to begin, the management and the board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra publicly issued a 50-page strategic plan … [Read more...]
