Negotiations

It’s The Board, Stupid

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The 5/10/2008 edition of the New York Times published an article by Dan Wakin which introduces some valuable clues behind what is really going on behind the veil of spin coming from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) executive board. Among the quotes from CSO music director Junichi Hirokami, one in particular sheds light on the root of the organization’s recent financial problems…

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Columbus Board Prepares To Throw In The Towel

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According to a Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) press statement dated 5/8/08, the board of directors has cancelled both of the organization’s summer concert series, which have been a part of Columbus summers for more than 25 years. Furthermore, the statement asserts that "due to uncertainties surrounding the 2008-2009 season" the organization is deliberately not selling subscription or single tickets until after they reach an agreement with musicians on a new collective bargaining agreement. Does anyone else smell a self-fulfilling prophecy blowing in the wind…

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Columbus Season To Continue Unabated

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According to an April 28, 2008 press release issued by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) board, the organization will not cut short any of the scheduled classical or pops concerts from now through May 31, 2008. This decision was reached during a board meeting following the unanimous decision by the musicians of the CSO to reject the board’s last, best, and final negotiation offer and an individual donation from an unnamed board member. It is good to see that the board has taken the first of two
necessary steps to avoid institutional collapse. The first was to move
away from threats of canceling any of the current season and now all
that remains is to enact step two: an independent review of the board’s
proposed financial plan…

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