Sat 29 Oct 2005
The San Jose Mercury News has an article about the Symphony Silicon Valley performing with only guest conductors since they formed four seasons ago.
It’s interesting that not paying a Music Director salary doen’t seem to save much money since they still have to pay guest conductors. However, the musicians obviously have much more control of their fate.
Mon 24 Oct 2005
Despite their extraordinary circumstances following Hurricane Katrina, the musicians of the Louisiana Philharmonic have rejected an offer from Radio City Music Hall to replace their regular orchestra.
Both Playbill Arts and the New York Times have articles.
Fri 21 Oct 2005
According to the Times-Dispatch the VAPAF has hired attorney Everette G. “Buddy” Allen Jr. to assist them in resolving their dispute with Mayor Wilder.
From the article:
Foundation President Brad Armstrong said any legal costs incurred would be paid from money donated specifically for that purpose. “Not a penny of donor money toward our project would be used.”
Tue 18 Oct 2005
After a five month strike, the Montreal Symphony Musicians have accepted a contract.
Details include:
Here are some links:
Wed 12 Oct 2005
The VAPAF has announced a reorganization and refocus of their plans.
Specifics include:
More information can be found at:
Wed 12 Oct 2005
The VAPAF has appearantly failed in it’s most recent attempt to secure the Thalheimer’s block as the site for the VAPAC. Yesterday they attempted to purchase the land from the city of Richmond for $2M. This was rejected at Mayor Wilder’s direction based on his position that the VAPAF is not in compliance with the 2004 agreement which included this option.
The Times-Dispatch has a story and a great cartoon which sums up the situation nicely.
NBC12 is reporting that the VAPAF will hold a press conference wednesday morning, Oct. 12th.
Mon 10 Oct 2005
From the ROPA mailing list
from Laura Ross, ICSOM Secretary
DO NOT WORK FOR
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL/CABLEVISION
“CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR”
Despite record profits approaching $100 million per year for this 10-week
show, management is seeking to slash the tenured orchestra musicians’
salaries by eliminating or severely limiting the overtime these musicians
earn working as many as 6 shows a day and often for 7 days a week.
Following a breakdown in negotiations with the new owners of Radio City
Music Hall on Thursday, October 6, 2005, Local 802 [New York City] was
informed that the management had hired a local contractor (the regular house
contractor is a member of Local 802.) This contractor will call music
schools and/or union or non-union musicians in New York, New Jersey or
anywhere in the US, Canada or Europe, to serve as replacement or “scab”
musicians.
Additionally, there is a strong rumor that the contractor will try to reach
out to the members of the Louisiana Philharmonic and offer this work as a
“charitable gesture”.
Members are asked to refuse this work and to notify Local 802 of any
attempts to hire within their jurisdiction.
Tue 4 Oct 2005
WCVE is hosting a special live Virginia Currents broadcast discussing the Virginia Performing Arts Center thursday night Oct. 6, at 8pm.