Musician Issues – Page 11

What The Oscars, Contracts, And The Orchestra Field Have In Common

Tuesday, March 6th, 2018Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 by Drew McManus

Two items that came out of last Sunday’s Academy Awards caught my attention in how they intersect with the orchestra field: equal pay for equal work and inclusion riders. Equal Pay and Equal Representation The pay discrepancy between Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams for reshoots on the film “All the Money in the World” made headlines when it became public that Wahlberg was paid $1.5 million while Williams only earned an $80 …

How Recent Changes To The US Tax Code Introduce Risk To Orchestra Labor Relations

Monday, February 12th, 2018Monday, February 12th, 2018 by Drew McManus

An article by Daniel Braden in the 2/11/18 edition of the Morning Call examines how recent changes in the US tax code will have a decidedly negative impact on orchestra musicians classified as employees (as opposed to self employed contractors). The author is a former tax consultant specializing in serving musicians and according to his analysis of the new laws, employee classified musicians are going to lose the ability to deduct …

#TBT Past Performance Is No Guarantee Of Future Results

Thursday, February 8th, 2018 by Drew McManus

Today’s #TBT is really a prelude to tomorrow’s post about one of the dynamic ways recent changes to the tax code will impact the field of nonprofit orchestras. In order to get the most out of that post, it will help to have a broader understanding of how orchestras, as employers, offload what are normally costs of doing business onto employees. In its own ironic way, the field has been a …

#TBT You Want To Carry That On Board And Put It Where Again?

Thursday, February 1st, 2018 by Drew McManus

If you’re an orchestra musician, the anxiety attached to flying with your instrument is all too familiar. Will they let you one with your instrument or not? Career roulette is fun! #not If you’re an arts manager, you know the pain of that 11th hour call from your guest artist telling you the airline wouldn’t them on the plane without checking their instrument, so they won’t be there. #NowWhat? There are …

#TBT What Your Audition Rep Says About Your Orchestra

Thursday, January 18th, 2018 by Drew McManus

Holly Mulcahy published an article recently that questions whether standard audition repertoire aligns with contemporary strategic visions. “…how sincere is it to say your orchestra actively promotes outreach and diversity, new music, and gender equality when your orchestra lists only dead white male composers on the audition repertoire requirements?” The subject of orchestra musician auditions is a sure fire topic for attention. Regardless if you’re a musician, administrator, board member, or …