2014 – Page 17 – Adaptistration

Atlanta Symphony Locks Out Musicians (again)

Monday, September 8th, 2014 by Drew McManus

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 …

Atlanta Stakeholders Dig In On Eve Of Contract Expiration

Friday, September 5th, 2014 by Drew McManus

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 …

Are We Witnessing The Birth Of Music Director Activism?

Thursday, September 4th, 2014 by Drew McManus

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 …

Looks Like Chicago Found Deborah Rutter’s Replacement

Friday, June 29th, 2018Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014 by Drew McManus

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, …

Are You Following The South Williamsport Spamalot Controversy?

Monday, September 1st, 2014 by Drew McManus

The 8/26/2014 edition of Slate published an article by columnist and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts Interim Director, Howard Sherman that examines the decision by South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Junior/Senior High School administrators to cancel an upcoming production of Monty Python’s Spamalot by Eric Idle due to what the school’s principal, Jesse Smith, described as the musical’s “homosexual themes.” Smith’s decision was upheld by South Williamsport Area School District administrators even …