ASO Musicians Accuse CEO Of Mendacity

According to an article by article by Howard Pousner in the 9/7/2014 edition of the Journal-Constitution’s Arts & Culture blog, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) musicians accused the orchestra’s President & CEO, Stanley Romanstein, of failing to make good on promises following the 2012 lockout. The musicians claim that ASO leadership broke a 2012 promise to avoid returning for a second round of reductions. They produced a quote they said Romanstein …

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Atlanta Symphony Locks Out Musicians (again)

In 2012, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) musicians were locked out after refusing to accept sharply concessionary terms. Approximately one month later, the musicians ostensibly caved and agreed to large reductions in wages, number of musicians employed, and a decline in weeks from 52 to 41. Two years later, that agreement has expired and the musicians have refused to accept an agreement that is, yet again, filled with additional concessionary terms …

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Atlanta Stakeholders Dig In On Eve Of Contract Expiration

With the current agreement set to expire on midnight, 9/6/2014, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) musicians issued a press statement that makes it clear that a deal is unlikely; moreover, they single out ASO President & CEO Stanley E. Romanstein as the individual responsible for revenue performance shortfalls. The genuinely interesting element within the musicians’ statement is the bit about them accepting the cuts in exchange for assurances that they would …

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Are We Witnessing The Birth Of Music Director Activism?

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In an interesting twist to the ongoing Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, it appears that the orchestra’s primary conductors (Music Director Robert Spano and Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles) have decided to become involved via a joint letter to ASO’s stakeholders (board, management, and musicians) outlining the pair’s views on the intersection of artistic standards and sustainability. Published by Norman Lebrecht at Slippedisc.com on 9/3/2014, the letter …

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Looks Like Chicago Found Deborah Rutter’s Replacement

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It is looking like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is going to replace Deborah Rutter with Vancouver Symphony CEO Jeff Alexander. The 9/2/2014 edition of the Chicago Tribune reports that the decision will be formalized during a board meeting today but at this stage, that process will be mostly pro forma. Nonetheless, details such as when Alexander’s tenure will begin should be announced shortly thereafter. The Tribune article, by Mark Caro, …

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