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 2017
The Jacksonville Symphony musicians ratified a new five-year contract on January 25, 2017, eight months in advance of the expiration of the current CBA. This contract marks an extraordinary new direction for the Jacksonville Symphony, all the more so in light of our negotiating history of the last 14 years. It therefore seems fitting to give a brief history of this volatile period to place the … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2017
ICSOM at the Grammys At the 59th annual Grammy awards on February 12, the Nashville Symphony’s album Daugherty: Tales Of Hemingway; American Gothic; Once Upon A Castle won awards in three categories: Best Classical Compendium, Best Classical Contemporary Composition, and Best Classical Instrumental Solo. The last two awards were specifically for Tales of Hemingway, featuring cellist Zuill Bailey. … [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: June 2013
At the beginning of April, musicians and management of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra reached agreement on a new two-year contract. The musicians’ negotiating committee supplied the details that follow. After unilaterally declaring an impasse in September 2012, management imposed a 20% reduction in base salaries and reduced the season from 37 to 33 weeks. The musicians filed a bad faith … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2013
Delegate Rachel Goldstein reports that the Chicago Symphony started a 19-day tour of Asia in late January. It included the cso’s first appearances in Taipei, Tianjin, and Seoul, as well as performances in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. CSO members also participated in educational activities such as children’s concerts and master classes. Music Director Riccardo Muti was forced by illness to … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2008
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra The musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone who supported us during our lockout. The support of our colleagues touched, inspired and sustained us during our ordeal. We were surprised and overwhelmed by your generous support and kind words. Also, ICSOM Chair Bruce Ridge and SSD … [Read more...]
Issue: Chairperson's Reports
As I sit at my desk to write these thoughts for the next edition of Senza Sordino, it is just after midnight on November 16, 2007. The issue that is foremost on my mind this night, and which has, in fact, dominated my thinking all week, is the egregious lockout of the musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony. I’m sure that all of our readers realize that Senza Sordino is delivered some weeks after … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2005
The Alabama Symphony was named “Nonprofit Organization of the Year” at the Birmingham Business Journal’s ninth annual Best In Business Awards banquet. The Alabama Symphony was the first winner in a new awards category recognizing nonprofits. An independent panel headed by Robert Holmes, dean of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Business, did the judging. The orchestra … [Read more...]
