Chicago Gets Back To The Bargaining Table, But This Time, There’s A New Variable
Thu, Apr 4, 2019
by Drew McManus
According to press statements, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) and its musicians are getting back to the bargaining table with the first round of sessions scheduled for Friday, April 5, 2019. One difference this time around is the sessions will include Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS) negotiator, Kevin Hawkins. Chicago won’t be Hawkins’
Conductor Expiration Dates
Tue, Apr 4, 2019
by Drew McManus
Music Directors are like milk in that they both have expiration dates; or, at least, so goes the old joke. Fortunately for conductors, they have a much longer shelf life and statistically speaking, that runs anywhere from 10 to 12 years. That amount of time usually consists of 2-3 contract cycles and provides most music
New Award Aims To Recognize Programming Excellence
Mon, Apr 4, 2019
by Drew McManus
The Society of Composing Tradition issued a press statement today announcing a new award for orchestras that embrace what it defines as “programming music from composers that have a proven track record of success.” April 1, 2019 SOCIETY OF COMPOSING TRADITION ANNOUNCES NEW AWARD FOR COURAGEOUS PROGRAMMING OF TRADITIONAL REPERTOIRE Program will formalize a system
Meeting Old Friends For The First Time
Fri, Mar 3, 2019
by Drew McManus
There’s nothing quite as pleasant as connecting with someone you’ve been friends with for 15 years and enjoying a long dinner of talking shop. An even bigger thrill is when it’s the first time you’ve met face to face. That was exactly the case last night when I finally enjoyed meeting Lisa Hirsch in person.
#TBT Work Stoppage Basics
Thu, Mar 3, 2019
by Drew McManus
Every time a work stoppage rolls around and lasts for more than a few weeks, it is common to see some typical questions arise. To that end, today’s #TBT includes some articles I’ve written over the years that cover some of these topics. Here’s one that continues to be one of the most visited articles
More, And Longer, Cancellations In Chicago
Wed, Mar 3, 2019
by Drew McManus
On Monday, 3/25/2019, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) released a statement that it was cancelling a week’s worth of concerts and events through April 2, 2019. Ticket holders received notifications of the cancellations and their options for what to do with the now obsolete tickets: Exchange your tickets into the same or similar seating
Substitute Parity At ICSOM Orchestras 2019
Tue, Mar 3, 2019
by Drew McManus
In 2014, we took a deep dive into which International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) symphonic orchestras paid substitute musicians the same rate as core musicians and in the wake of a recent conversation with ICSOM chairperson Meredith Snow and ICSOM President Paul Austin, it’s time to update that list. My thanks to
Non Divisi Is Back!
Mon, Mar 3, 2019
by Drew McManus
I am all kinds of happy to see Frank Almond is back up and running with his non divisi blog. He published the first new post-hiatus article on March 21, 2019 and it touches on a topic that deserves as much attention as possible: improving the academic landscape for emerging musicians. Basics Be sure to
In Chicago, No News Is No News
Fri, Mar 3, 2019
by Drew McManus
At the end of week two, Chicago Symphony Orchestra is no closer to resolving the strike than they since it started. While both sides have engaged in bargaining and there appears to have been some progress, it was limited to non-showstopper level terms. Both sides continue to hammer away at their existing talking points. The
Taking Some Spin Out Of The Chicago Rhetoric