I received an intriguing email yesterday from Lee GrothOlson, Bartlesville Symphony General Manager, wondering about my take on how smaller budget groups are weathering the economic downturn. When compared to their larger budget peers, most smaller budget orchestras I am aware of (those up through $1.5mil annual budget) tend to have fewer challenges managing debt and budget shortfalls than not. This is due to a few primary reasons:
Labor Relations
Events Escalate In Louisville
In response to yesterday’s deadline from the Louisville Orchestra (LO) to its musicians regarding accepting individual terms for employment for the 2011/12 season which came with the caveat that failing to accept the terms via written agreement would be enough to replace them if so desired, the musicians organized a protest outside the LO’s offices…
A Legacy Of Mistrust In Detroit
The 7/5/2011 edition of the Detroit News published an article by Lawrence B. Johnson that examines the ongoing impact fallout from this season’s prolonged strike at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO). In particular, Johnson focuses on the growing list of musicians who have decided to take jobs in other orchestras, retire, or simply up and leave as a result of an overwhelming lack of confidence in the orchestra’s leadership… All in …
"Ending the Doctrine of Failure"
Last Monday, I hinted at revealing more details related to the League of American Orchestra’s (League) decision to reject International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) chairman and North Carolina Symphony bassist Bruce Ridge’s offer to participate as an elected musician representative in the League’s “Red Alert!” plenary session at this year’s conference. So let’s jump in and start learning more about what’s going on…
Events Heat Up In Louisville
Following the 5/31/2011 bankruptcy hearing for the Louisville Orchestra (LO), which coincided with the expiration date of the organization’s collective bargaining agreement with its musicians, the Louisville Orchestra Musicians Association (LOMA) published a press statement claiming that the LO has “terminated all the orchestra’s musicians.”…