Issue: October 2019
Reaching Completion in Washington It was an eventful September at the Kennedy Center, beginning with the conclusion of the National Symphony Orchestra negotiations. The four-year agreement, ratified by musicians on September 11, includes an overall increase in base wages of 8.5% as well as implementing a new employer contribution of 1.5% to their 403(b) retirement plan. The NSO negotiations … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2015
"I never thought I’d have to wear earplugs because of noise from the audience...” said San Diego Symphony violinist John Stubbs. But plug our ears we did for the surprise pop-up Star Wars Fan Appreciation Concert that took place last July. Every summer, thousands of self-proclaimed nerds descend on “America’s Finest City” for the world’s largest Comic-Con, a four day event celebrating everything … [Read more...]
Issue: August 2014
As of late, ICSOM Chairperson Bruce Ridge has been on the road quite a bit representing ICSOM and visiting numerous ICSOM orchestras. Of course, that’s not unusual for Ridge. When one realizes that his own orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, has one of the busiest travel schedules in the country, one further appreciates the (literal) distance he goes for ICSOM. Just some of his travel … [Read more...]
Issue: August 2014
On Sunday, July 6, 2014, members of the San Diego Symphony performed an unprecedented event at Friendship Park, in the very southwest corner of the United States, when they gave a concert while collaborating across the U.S.-Mexico border with musicians of Orquesta de Baja California (OBC). This location is one of few along the border where individuals can converse with foreign nationals while … [Read more...]
Issue: May 2014
The North Carolina Symphony, Music Director Grant Llewellyn, and cellist Zuill Bailey joined forces to celebrate Benjamin Britten’s centenary with a release of his Symphony for Cello and Orchestra. The recording, released in January on the Telarc label, debuted No. 1 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Albums Chart and is a top New York Times Classical Playlist pick. Writing in the Huffington … [Read more...]
Issue: November 2012
The Kansas City Symphony experienced a “dream come true” in 2011–2012 with its move into the magnificent Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts as one of three resident companies. In addition to performing varied series of concerts in Helzberg Hall, the Symphony also performs as the pit orchestra in the Kauffman Theater for the other two KCPA resident companies, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and … [Read more...]
Issue: August 2012
As ICSOM progresses through our 50th year, it seems only right to ponder where we have been and where we are headed. Beyond that, it’s important to ask ourselves why we have faced the struggles of the past and how that might or should inform and influence our future decisions. I claim neither originality nor completeness for any of my observations or analyses. They are undoubtedly influenced by … [Read more...]
Issue: August 2012
The San Diego Symphony knew that last year’s very successful centennial season would be hard to match, but the recently completed 2011–2012 season turned out to be its most successful year ever. Senior Director of Marketing Stephen Baker said that, subject to audit, the San Diego Symphony balanced its budget for the 14th consecutive year. Ticket sales reached an all-time high, with an increase of … [Read more...]
Issue: June 2010
The New York City Opera, after a year of being homeless, is very much alive and thriving back home in the newly renovated David H. Koch Theater (formerly the NY State Theater). The orchestra committee reports that, most importantly for the orchestra, the renovations include a wonderful, enlarged pit, which can be raised to various heights—including stage level—enabling the theater to be used for … [Read more...]
Issue: December 2007
Newslets are compiled with the help of ICSOM delegates and ICSOM Members at Large from sources that include direct submissions, member orchestra websites, and topical news items. The editor encourages input and submissions. Oregon Symphony delegate Dolores Daigle reports that Elaine Calder has been appointed President of the Oregon Symphony Association. Calder actually arrived last season from … [Read more...]
