Grand Rapids Symphony – Adaptistration

A Tentative Deal In Grand Rapids

Thursday, March 24th, 2016 by Drew McManus

It looks like we’re one step closer to wrapping up the list of outstanding mid to large budget orchestras with expired agreements that have managed to ratify a new contract without resorting to a work stoppage. The Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) reportedly reached a tentative five-year agreement after more than seven months of play and talk. The new agreement must be ratified by the GRS board and the musicians before terms …

Negotiation Update: Philly Enters Limited Play & Talk, Chicago Lyric Settles, And More

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015 by Drew McManus

Following up on our 9/14/2015 list of orchestras with expired agreements, here’s an overview of what’s been going on. Philadelphia Orchestra The employer and musicians initially announced a limited play and talk agreement that will take them through Monday, 9/28/2015, which should come as no surprise that the date falls just after the orchestra is scheduled to perform for Pope Francis. Since then, both sides have agreed to continue the arrangement …

I Dare You To Not Love The Kittens

Friday, June 29th, 2018Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 by Drew McManus

A great big hat-tip to Bill Eddins for posting an article at Sticks And Drones on 9/15/2011 which highlights a video from the musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS). The video is a wonderful example of a well made and affordable promotional video that reinforces simple is good.

2010 Orchestra Website Review: Best & Worst Of

Friday, October 22nd, 2010 by Drew McManus

Wrapping up the US reviews for 2010 is the Best & Worst from this year’s review. The Best recognizes orchestras that made particularly large advancements in certain categories while the Worst examines organizations that could benefit from improving particularly damaging components and/or practices…

Nudging Yourself Back On The Right Path

Friday, June 29th, 2018Monday, March 16th, 2009 by Drew McManus

On 3/12/09, conductor Ron Spigelman posted an article at his blog, Sticks and Drones, that examines some recent decisions at the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra reported in an article from the 3/9/09 edition of the Grand Rapids Press. Whether he intended to or not, Spigelman raised exactly the right set of questions at exactly the right moment in time to avert a potentially damaging course of action…