communities, boards, and orchestras March 20, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, the orchestra world, add a commentAs I write this, there are two orchestras in the U.S. which are currently facing an existential crisis. The Columbus Symphony and the Shreveport Symphony are both facing cuts which will forever alter how they function, sound, raise money, and basically exist.
Over the past week, two fellow violists/bloggers have written posts about the situation, both about these two orchestras and a new study which suggests that US orchestras are based upon an untenable model. (more…)
columbus situation dire March 15, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, the orchestra world, 1 comment so farThis was posted on the CSO facebook group yesterday:
Friends, things are not going well. I beg your attention for a few minutes while I report the “unreported” events surrounding the arts crisis in Columbus. These are my opinions and not the official view of our committee representatives.
I am convinced our orchestra, the Columbus Symphony, which has been built to world class level in the past 56 years, will be decimated by the insidious restructuring “plan” (fire 22 and cut salary 30%) forcefully proposed by the board of trustees and management. Many musicians (including myself) will leave, seeking better work elsewhere. Lives and careers will be ruined. The music will be gone. (more…)
columbus - a personal view February 4, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, the orchestra world, 1 comment so farThis past Sunday’s Columbus Dispatch profiles three musicians from the troubled Columbus Symphony: principal trumpeter Justin Bartels, violinist Joyce Fishman, and principal flutist Randy Hester. (more…)
columbus symphony supporters unite January 23, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, the orchestra world, add a commentA group of enterprising Columbus Symphony boosters have started both a blog/website. Check them out for updates and ideas for how you can help make a difference for the Columbus Symphony.
They have a great editorial cartoon by Jeff Stahler from the Columbus Dispatch posted:
columbus’ conductor takes a stand January 21, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : conducting, music, the orchestra world, add a comment
Photo credit: Koichi Miura
Photo courtesy of Frank Salomon Associates
Junichi Hirokami, the music director of the Columbus Symphony (who I hear is fantastic), has been interviewed by the Columbus Dispatch and made some telling remarks about the situation there. (more…)
more columbus analysis January 19, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, the orchestra world, add a commentRobert Levine*, at his blog Abu Bratsche (best blog name I’ve seen in a long, long time!), points out that the problems that are coming to a head in Columbus are not financial in origin. (more…)
columbus lost at sea? January 19, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, the orchestra world, 3commentsIn a move which will likely result in the permanent crippling of a once fine orchestra, the management of the Columbus Symphony (Ohio) is proposing massive cuts of both orchestra personnel positions and the length of the season: the former down from 53 to 31 full-time musicians, the latter from 46 to 34 weeks. (more…)
