No One's Singing Hallelujah in Bellevue Philharmonic Labor Dispute
The Bellevue Philharmonic is tuning the strings and warming up their lips for the annual holiday Messiah concert this Friday. But it's not all peace on Earth and goodwill to all behind the scenes across Lake Washington—far from it.
The musicians, new Executive Director and Board of Trustees are locked in a labor fight over contracts. The players want management to negotiate future contracts with them as a union under the American Federation of Musicians. Executive Director Jennifer McCausland, finishing her first year at the helm, says it just isn't a good time.
The dispute goes back to last summer when the core group of musicians expected the normal round of contract renewals. Bassist Bryce Van Parys says for the last decade, season-long contracts were generally renewed for everyone still playing at the end of the previous season. The music director weeded out problem players throughout the year if problems persisted.
But this year saw major overhauls in the classical music ensemble. In a bid to make the group more competitive with other local groups (it doesn't seem a stretch to read that as the Seattle Symphony) the board of trustees hired Jennifer McCausland, a former Seattle Symphony board member and owner of Apollo Music Ventures, a company that puts on smaller chamber-style events.
In a move that made most orchestra members furious, McCausland ignored the traditional way of renewing contracts. Last summer she sent notices to 13 string players that they needed to audition to renew their 2008-2009 season contract. None of those members were actually let go, says principal clarinet, Mary Kantor. But bucking tradition and making them play in open auditions for their spots—in some cases on short notice—seemed like pretty much the same thing, Kantor says. "I would call that firing."
McCausland says she had to start making musicians audition to bring the level of the group up. And if that meant pitting long-time members against the general public to hold onto their contracts, so be it. "That was the way that we were going to be able to determine the community standard for playing was," she says. McCausland adds that she expected a bad reaction to the move, but it was necessary "if we're ever going to move to a competitive position with the other professional orchestras in the area."
Van Parys says the orchestra members don't have a philosophical problem with the idea of weeding out weaker members to make the group higher caliber. "Nobody's really arguing that point," he says. The problem, he explains, is the way it was handled. Philharmonic management acted too abruptly, completely changing the accepted way of doing things for the previous decade, singling out the strings players and issuing the audition notices without much in the way of a head's up.
Van Parys and other players created a negotiating committee in September to bring the orchestra's concerns to McCausland. His committee agreed to look over a new potential contract governing full-season employment. And while some aspects—the pay scale and new uniforms—seemed fine, the document contained no means of earning tenure, putting contracts up for grabs every year.
He says the committee went back to McCausland and asked that it be changed. Philharmonic management wouldn't consider it.
Without the money for legal council to fight, Van Parys says, the musicians decided to unionize. They approached the American Federation of Musicians. According to Motter Snell, President of the Seattle Musicians Association, the local federation branch, the union formally asked McCausland and the board to voluntarily recognize the union for purposes of contract negotiation.
Not only did the union get a big no in the form of a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees, McCausland informed Van Parys he had been overlooked in the initial reauditioning round and would need to play for his seat. "We look at my being called out as retaliation," he says.
McCausland says Van Parys' reaudition notice had nothing to do with his union organizing activity. If anything, she says, she would like to see the musicians organized, but with so many things in the air, it's a bad time for major changes in the way musician contracts are done. On top of that, she says, the orchestra is still trying to raise its profile and she doesn't want to start offering tenure to players just because they've have a long history with the orchestra. "There is no way a part-time orchestra, a community orchestra on its way to becoming a professional orchestra, was in a position to offer life-time jobs," she says.
For now the whole thing is at a stalemate. Union organizers have successfully convinced potential new orchestra members to stay away from the auditions in solidarity and none have occurred so far. But McCausland shows no sign of bending on the tenure issue.
So will this year's Messiah be something worth a loud hallelujah? Yes, says interim music director and concert master John Kim. Kim is siding with McCausland in the dispute, but when he calls people together to rehearse Handel's masterpiece, the only thing that matters is the music, he says. "When it's time to play, everyone is very professional."
69 comment(s)
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Akhuratha says:
"When it's time to play, everyone is very professional."
Right. When they show up for concerts
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 2 2008 @ 7:35PM
Experienced Musician says:
What this article does not mention is that a mass firing is not the the way bring up the artistic stanard of the orchestra. The conductor was doing a fine job of weeding out the weaker players despite tenure. McCausland makes a weak point and is her politics and connections to players and contractors in the Seattle Symphony are showing.
What needs to be researched is McCauslands experience as orchestral manager: she has none and it shows in her attempts to "manage the orchestra". She lacks the basic skills such as remembering to order flowers for the soloist or her communication skills with the orchestra. She simply does not know what an ED is supposed to do. Furthermore, it is not her job to make musical decisions. The executive director is hired to manage the orchestra and raise funds. Period. The ED is not hired to make artistic decisions and Jennifer McCausland has overstepped the line in this area.
Another area to be researched is the carnage she has left behind with the other organizations with which she has been associated. Her experience with NW Symphonietta resulted in a law suit. With this orchestra, she agreed to bankroll a concert, perhaps with the hopes of becoming an ED with that organization. Then, when she wasn't happy with the concert, she would only pay for half of what she agreed to pay. The orchestra took her to court. Of course, she lost the case.
The Bellevue Philharmonic can only expect more of the same from this woman. One wonders how much she paid the BPO board for her job as ED/CEO for the BPO.
If the BPO board has any sense at all, they would stick Ms. McCausland in a room and let her fundraise all she wants. But for heavens sake, keep her away from the musicians. She does not know what she is doing.
Experienced Musician
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 2 2008 @ 8:04PM
BPO Musician says:
While executive director Jennifer McCausland may not feel that this is a "good time" for the orchestra to ask for union representation, it is exactly the time the orchestra needs it. Ms McCausland seems to feel that she can make up the rules as she goes along, ignoring established orchestral protocols for auditions and artistic dismissal. She is exactly the reason musicians organize in the first place. So far this season the orchestra has seen spontaneous auditions (later postponed and then cancelled), contracts sent out without policy guidelines attached, concerts cancelled, turnover of the office staff, and the resignation of the conductor. The personnel manager, a major player in improving the quality and professionalism of the BPO has been fired. Day to day workings of the orchestra have become chaotic.
The musicians care deeply about the orchestra. They want it to be successful. They also want to know from week to week if they have a job. This season is a nightmare for the musicians, who are working hard to play well despite the craziness. If the BPO is to be brought in line with other professional orchestras, it will have to be managed like one.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 2 2008 @ 8:16PM
Alphonse Leduc says:
There is no such thing as a "life-time job" with a symphony orchestra. Just ask a few former members of the Seattle Symphony. Every orchestra with a decent contract has dismissal policies. They are negotiated by both musicians and management. If you aren't holding your end up you can be put through these processes.
Ms. McCausland is obviously not planning on hiring a real music director anytime soon as she knows that they would want to conduct an actual orchestra not a bunch of family friendly chamber ensembles. It a real shame as this little orchestra was steadily improving year after year. All they needed was a new enthusiastic maestro to give them some confidence back and things would have taken off.
Instead they were given Jennifer McCausland "The Terminator". Sure she handed out 44% raises and the musicians were cautiously grateful but then she cut enough services to lower that to around a 15% raise. Now she's reducing the size of the orchestra to an even smaller number than it's already reduced size so the winds, brass, some strings and percussion can say bye bye to the 15% now.
Ms. McCausland is a control freak who is out of control. She has no idea what she is doing and will destroy this 41 year old institution if left in charge. But maybe that was her ultimate game plan...
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 2 2008 @ 9:05PM
Professional Musician says:
The Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra is a fully professional, part-time orchestra. It has been a decade since it could be considered a "community orchestra" as Ms. McCausland labels the orchestra. She does no seem to think very highly of the musicians of the orchestra. It also seems as if she wants to take credit for turning Bellevue Philharmonic into a professional orchestra. Which happened long before she appeared on the scene.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 2 2008 @ 9:20PM
Dick says:
The issues,above, cover but a small fraction of all the those whose initiation of stem to McCausland. She is probably the most incompetent ED ever for a Puget Sound area classical orchestra. She is easily the worst thing ever to happen to this fine orchestra. One cannot trust anything she says.
Oh, yes, have you read the letter from the orchestra committe to the orchestra board? This orchestra, which only recently was nicely raising its profile in the area and had greatly increased subscriptions and financial support, is now going in the opposite direction, almost entirely due to Ms McCausland's misdirected and often mean-spitited efforts. She is nothing short of a control freak who lacks any real communication skills. It's coming down to either the orchestra as a whole has (or will voluntarily) go or she has to gone. It is almost beyond any compromise...too much water under the bridge already.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 12:21AM
Disgusted Musician says:
Ms. McCausland wants to make BPO competitive with full-time professional groups like the Seattle Symphony? With what budget is she aspiring to achieve this lofty goal? Is she prepared to pay for the same full-time SALARIES (not per-service rates, dearie) and benefits that the members of SSO enjoy? Because THAT is the only way she can make BPO competitive with SSO or any other full-time professional orchestra, where a musician's living is primarily earned from their orchestra's salary. A per-service group will never be able to fill this bill. To expect the same "competitiveness" of a full-time orchestra at a part-time expense and commitment on the part of the organization is not only ignorant, it's madness. And it's a surefire mindset to make any per-service orchestra collapse. And for an administrative executive
-- not a music director -- to make decisions about who stays and who goes would be more laughable if it wasn't so pathetic. This is sadly yet another case of an ignorant, self-important administrator with way too much power wielding it in the most destructive way possible. And with a board apparently supporting her every move, it's like watching an inevitable train wreck in slow motion.
To the BPO - I am sorry for what you are going through right now. Unfortunately it's not the first time a group like yours has imploded from within and sadly it won't be the last. Fight the good fight but at the end of the day, do what's right by your conscience. Staying in a poorly run group by individuals who have absolutely no respect for you or your contribution to the orchestra may not be worth it in the end.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 1:16AM
motter snell says:
BPO musicians know that the only way to level the playing field between the ED, Jennifer McCausland, and the orchestra musicains is via union representation and collective bargaining. The National Labor Relations Act (a federal law) gives all workers the right to representation by a union of their choice and the right to bargain a contract. The Act also provides for representation elections upon a majority showing of support by the workers for a union. Unfortunately, by a Board rule, they will not conduct an election for orchestra's with budgets under one million dollars,which is the case with the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra. So the options for BPO musicians is voluntary recognition of the union by the employer. BPO management refused in spite of overwhelming support for union recognition. So the two sides are at a stand off. BPO musicians would much rather play music and collaborate with management to grow the orchestra. It's a shame to see management dig in here and refuse to participate in a process that will benefit the organization for the long term and begin to calm the waters now.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 8:04AM
Alphonse Leduc says:
It would have been one thing if Ms. McCausland had come in and actually listened to the musicians and office staff when they offered help and advice. They all want this organization to survive (even now) but she asked for advice and then ignored it. Many of the current day to day problems would have been simply solved by her actually taking the help offered in the beginning.
The current production of the Messiah is short musicians. She and the board were told in a letter by the orchestra committee how important it is to hire these musicians and substitutes as early as possible. Both Jennifer and John Kim failed to do this and now run the risk of a shoddy production of their one sold out concert this season.
And what's with the concertmaster/interim music director/personnel manager not showing up for the first half of a Masterworks concert? Yes, we heard the rumor of a sick child but couldn't he have sent some sort of apology to the orchestra and explained what happened?
I very much doubt Jennifer will ever apologize to the orchestra either. She has taken something near and dear to 60 musicians and turned it into a nightmarish joke.
Of course, there is one way to fix this whole mess and that would be to show some sense and humility and sit down with the musicians and the A.F. of M. and start talking. We want this organization to survive.
The musicians have letters of support from the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Northwest Sinfonietta and Tacoma Symphony in their efforts gain a fairly negotiated C.B.A.
Maybe it's time to do the right thing!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 8:11AM
alan says:
I work administratively for an orchestra in the midwest. I sell tickets for our orchestra and I can honestly...I am fed up with hearing musicians complain about everything!!!! It seems that nothing is ever good enough for the musicians.
An example, our orchestra is a part time orchestra with a nine month season averaging a concert a month, give or take. I work 40+ hours a week selling tickets so that the musicians have an audience. Not once has any musician ever thanked me for the work I do when I have gone out of my way to congratulate musicians who stop in our office on the wonderful work they did at the previous concert. Because we are in a contract negotiation AND because of the economy, I have not received a raise this year. When you pair that with the fact that I make SIGNIFICANTLY less than what a musician does for putting in SIGNIFICANTLY more time for the end product, I get very angry. What also really gets me angry is musicians who pick up their music the day of first rehearsal. If these musicians trully are "professional" one would think they would want the music as soon as it is available so they can practice. Oh wait...since they aren't getting paid to practice on their own time, why would they. I forgot!!!
I do what I do because I know our community needs a non-profit arts organization like ours. Sure, I would love to get paid more, but because I work for a non-profit organization, I realize that my pay will never be the same as my for-profit counter parts.
Honestly...I hope all smaller orchestra's like ours, go under. It'll be nice to see greedy musicians trying to find jobs playing the fiddle. At least I know that I am marketable along a much broader spectrum of jobs...you play a fiddle and that's all you do.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 9:57AM
harmonica section says:
Unfortunately Ms McClausland has proven to be completely untrustworthy. After committing to following the BPO roster throughout this dispute, she hired non-roster musicians; she stood on the stage and lied to the musicians about hall availability during the first Masterworks cycle; and has intentionally mischaracterized the actions musician and union official to make them appear unreasonalbe.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 11:07AM
Professional Musician says:
Dear alan,
I am sorry to hear that you have had such an awful experience with your orchestra. It is unfair for you to criticize all musicians based on your experience with a few. Musicians are not all greedy. In fact, many feel truly blessed to be able to do something that they love and also get paid for it.
Perhaps you should read the article and comments above more carefully. The issues that Bellevue Philharmonic musicians are dealing with are not financial. If musicians were interested in making a lot of money, they wouldn't do what they do. The orchestra is dealing with a CEO that is both arrogant and ignorant of how to run an orchestra and is extremely unprofessional in her conduct toward others, including the office staff. All of the office staff, not to mention the former music director has either quit or has been fired since the new CEO came on board several months ago.
If you are so unhappy with your job, perhaps you should consider a career change to a for-profit business. Non-profit organizations do not need bitter attitudes from their employees.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 11:18AM
alan says:
Dear Professional Musician,
I love my job and the organization I work for. I however, do not love the majority of the musicians who we pay to be on our stage. Many of them are WAY past their prime, but because they are tenured, they cannot be let go unless they choose to leave. It is unfortunate to have to lump all musicians together, but when the vast majority are negative know it alls.....
I run into many of our musicians who "think" they know how to run the organization but honestly, have no idea. They try to give marketing and sales advice and have never done either a day in their life. I would love to see any musician sit our chairs for a month and see what really happens administratively. Running an organization is not notes on a page and our jobs change minute by minute administratively.
It's also amazing that you blazed over the comment about never once being thanked by musicians for the work we do administratively. Our musicians as a whole are quite demanding and rude to say the least. Unless they are getting paid, they refuse to do anything to help the orchestra. I and all of my administrative co-workers however, put in many many many hours to make sure they have an audience to perform for and a symphony to belong to.
I am not bitter with my organization, just bitter with the musicians who represent us. I have to do alot of work to back track on negative and false information that musicians give members of our community. The most recent that our music director was leaving even though this person isn't.
So, Professional Musician, thank you for your unrequested advice. I'm not surprised that you feel the urge to tell people what to do. It is true to form for the majority of "professional orchestra musicians" I have met.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 12:27PM
music fan says:
Alan, as evidenced by your insistence on substituting your reality for actual reality in your latest post, I can only conclude that you're a psychotic loser, who is only posting here to start a flame war.
Begone.
BPO musicians, you have my support!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 4:49PM
Elizabeth Presland says:
Dear alan,
Musicians deserve respect. Additionally, everyone I know who is a musician is friendly, considerate, and appreciative. Perhaps your non-profit's musicians are rude because they are all anal-retentive Midwesterners. Or maybe they are rude to you because you aren't as friendly as you think (which you have proved in your comments about the BPO situation). Just a thought.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 7:10PM
Disgusted Musician says:
Looking at the comments by the administrators who have chimed in (both in disguise and out in the open), it's clear the BPO musicians will never get the respect or representation they deserve. A pity how much damage ONE administrator can do to a decades-long organization with a little help from sycophantic toadies, but there it is. Not the first time, won't be the last.
Loved the "greed" comments, BTW. The administrators' snide comments sound like jealous, vindictive musical wannabees that never really had the guts to pursue a career in music and abuse their positions to take it out on those who have. The negative, collective chips on your shoulders are more destructive to the future of performing arts than any budget cut. It's just soooo heartwarming to see at this holiday season that Scrooge is alive and well.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 8:33PM
DJ says:
In All my days of professional orchestral work and professional business experience, I have never encountered an individual that spent more time scheming, threatening and retaliating, and less time managing. We spend all our days dealing with the Crisis du jour, and wondering if we are playing the next gig...or IF there is a next gig. The only reason we ARE dealing with it is because we care so much about this group. It feels like someone just threw out half our family, and expected us to just play merrily along. Then, if you speak out, you're gone. Sad, really sad. If we had a meaningful contract in place, we could all spend this extra energy promoting concerts and really getting behind the organization.
Board: WAKE UP, this corporation will not survive run in this manner. Get a contract in place before you lose it all.
Long time member and musician who plays in many professional orchestras
Scared to post my name for fear of retaliation and becoming "BPO 15"
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 3 2008 @ 9:24PM
darius says:
The goal of improving the orchestra is shared by all of those involved in the organization. The musicians have worked very hard for many years to improve the quality of the performances through many hours of practice. In addition, over the last few years, several weaker players have been respectfully removed from the group by the Music Director using the agreed upon process that was in the orchestra's contracts. The violation of the spirit and the letter of these previous contracts by management has caused the rift in the organization. The musicians never demanded a guarantee of lifelong employment, nor have they asked for a pay raise in this dispute. They have simply asked for a contract that will be honored by both management and the musicians. The musicians want to be treated fairly with regard to dismissal policies and to have clear guidelines to follow when doing their jobs.
The uncertainty of the situation has sapped the morale of the orchestra. At this point, none of the musicians knows if they are still employed, what the repertoire and instrumentation is for the next Masterworks concert, or if there is any hope of getting management and the board to the negotiating table. Clear communication from management to the orchestra would help to resolve this situation, as would a willingness to listen to the musicians who have worked so hard to create a better Bellevue Philharmonic.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 4 2008 @ 12:22AM
alan says:
First and foremost...I am a singer and was a singing member of non-profit GLBT choir. So...I am an administrator who has been a performer. So in answer to "The administrators' snide comments sound like jealous, vindictive musical wannabees that never really had the guts to pursue a career in music and abuse their positions to take it out on those who have." Yes...I have performed. That response is SOOO typical of most every "professional" orchestral member I've encountered. And, regardless of whether I am a musician or not, your comment also proves how little "professional" musicians respect the people who work the administrative portion of an orchestra. The fact there is not a single comment after that post at least thanking adminstrative orchestra members, leads me to only one conclusion - "professional" orchestral musicians trully do not have the best of the symphony they perform with at heart. They as a collective whole, only care about one thing, themselves.
For those musicians I have met, that are decent people, THANK YOU!!! You are the ones who trully get it and understand that it's not us and them but us as a whole as we all represent our symphony.
As stated previously, I expect nothing less from "professional" orchestral musicians, than focusing on themselves and what they get, not the true health of the organization. This is much more evident in part-time orchestras.
PS...In case anyone is wondering, I use quotes around professional as I don't consider most musicians professional for obvious reason as evidenced in this string.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 4 2008 @ 12:24PM
Disgusted Musician says:
Poor Alan.
Guess that "wannabee" comment really struck a nerve. Thanks for proving my point so predictably.
With your negative, utterly biased anti-professional mindset, it appears you'd be better off sticking to being an administrator for community groups (where the majority of people do other things to make their living besides music), not professional ones. Get over yourself.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 4 2008 @ 1:14PM
Experienced Musician says:
I believe the board of the BPO needs a major rehauling of their mindset as well. Ms. McCausland could not have dismantled this 41 year old eastside treasure without the agreement and support of the board.
What they have done is systematically taken apart a very succesful orchestra and dismantled it into a small chamber group. What a pity for the Eastside. The musicians of the BPO had hoped with Ms. McCauslands' well know fund raising skills that the symphony orchestra could have continued it's slow and steady climb into artistic excellence.
Instead, together, the board and the Executive Director have completely revamped the structure of the BPO, turning it to a mere festival for chamber groups and childrens concerts. What would have really shown their muscle if they had opted to keep the symphony orchestra, too. Forty-one years of hard work by countless devoted musicians and beloved business people down the drain in less than 10 months.
Hey, BPO board and Ms. McCausland: stop before it's too late!
Save the symphonic orchestra of the BPO!!!!
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 4 2008 @ 2:01PM
alan says:
Poor Disgusted Musician,
Your response was quite predictable as well as it is apparent you didn't even read my post. Your words throughout this string are proof positive why many smaller orchestra's will fail. Until musicians start putting in 9-10-11 hour days without compensation, I'll listen. But since no musician will give their time to help save their orchestra..we're all going to fail.
It's interesting to look at the cost for one performance and see that more than 50% of that cost is the musician salary. It's no wonder nobody in our community will hire our orchestra. They can't afford it. It's no wonder our ballet has to use pre-recorded music as they can't afford us. Our local opera most likely won't be able to afford us either this summer because our part time "professional" musicians want to be paid the same as full time orchestras in larger cities.
So..it seems there are going to be MANY out of work "professional" musicians. And honestly, except for the few I consider friends, I'll be glad to see these musicians thinking to themselves, "hmm..maybe we shouldn't have been so greedy".
Posted On: Friday, Dec. 5 2008 @ 6:53AM
Experienced Musician says:
Alan from the midwest has a point: orchestras have overpriced themselves into extinction and it is a lesson we as professional musicians need to heed. No wonder ticket prices are so high.
However, in the case of the BPO, our ticket prices are not high and our labor issues have never been about money. In fact, the musicians of the BPO have always been known for coming forward to help when the chips are down, take less pay or defer payment until later. That's how dedicated these musicians of the BPO are. So the comments of Alan, while they may reflect the situation where is he working, in my opnion, do not reflect the hard working musicians of the BPO. It seems the comparison he is trying to make doesn't work in this situation.
Posted On: Friday, Dec. 5 2008 @ 7:42AM
Jen says:
Your right Alan. The thing to do is to turn your orchestra into a chamber music series. Then you can siphon off the funds of your organization to the "real" musicians, who just happen to be your friends. The administration is what makes an arts organization. Paying performers is just a waste of money, school kids will play for less and sound just the same. I look forward to the day when we can just put the office staff on stage sitting in front of their computers. By the way, the CEO of the Bellevue Phil pulls in over $100,000 a year. That is not Volunteer pay. As the orchestra shrinks, her percentage of the overall budget increases.
Posted On: Friday, Dec. 5 2008 @ 10:49AM
Frank says:
Jen is right! Ms. Mccausland gets a huge salary plus a big bonus. Not sure what the bonus is for--making the orchestra go away? All that money for little to no experience as an orchestral ED. Wonder what the concertmaster/interim music director/personnel manager makes now? That's an awful lot of power for one person to have. The orchestra has often wondered if Ms. McCausland put him in the position to do her dirty work. Or maybe to do his own dirty work? But to hire him as Interim Music Director is laughable, as personnel manager downright dangerous! It was another way to circumvent the process so they could get their own people in there and screw over the current members of the BPO.
Posted On: Friday, Dec. 5 2008 @ 3:32PM
Working Musician says:
Alan-
I am amazed at how ignorant you are. Singing in a GLBT choir does not make you a performer, anyone can do that, because I'm sure it was volunteer. I agree with you, musicians shouldn't run a business, but administrators shouldn't try to run the orchestra. That's about as logical as you deciding who plays in the orchestra you work for, which isn't very logical because you have shown how utterly clueless you are to the musical workings of an orchestra. The ED of the BPO has overstepped her bounds. The only thing musical an ED has control in is the hiring or firing of a music director, which is logical because the music director is not only maestro, but also the poster child for an orchestra and has to work to raise money for the operating budget and the endowment. Kudos for selling tickets, you are a valuable member of your team, but try to understand what your place is. Finally, in regards to tenure, people need to understand that orchestra musicians are human beings with families and bills to pay. They rely on the money they make to live and to have open audition for many spots that have been held by musicians for many years is ridiculous. If someone is really not pulling they're weight and causing huge problems, then they will be dealt with, orchestra contracts have dismissal policies for these cases. Management and musicians will always fight, it's part of contract negotiations, but neither side can be as mentally incompetent as the ED of BPO.
Posted On: Sunday, Dec. 7 2008 @ 9:12PM
Disgusted Musician says:
Well said, Working Musician, and far more eloquently than I could have done. I'm sorry to say that in the case of people like Alan, your wise words fall on deaf ears.
But then again, it appears there's always been this love/hate relationship with administrators toward musicians since musical institutions began, and that's unlikely to change unfortunately. All every musician can do is continue to fight the good fight and not let ignorance or spite deter them.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 1:15AM
Leonard Allman says:
"Those who do not learn from the lessons of history are destined to repeat them."
This hasn't worked successfully in several situations I can recall. The debacle Christian Badea created at the Columbus Symphony (OH) back in the 1980's come to mind.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 6:19AM
Frank says:
Well, so much for getting the truth out there. Jennifer and the board probably had a laywer send a letter to myauditions.com and asked them to "cease and desist" a thread which was taking place regarding her actions with the BPO. I just found this out when a friend from back east tried to comment and found the thread had been frozen. theonly way that happens is if someone legally complains.
So now she is trying to censor/control everything that is being said about her or John Kim or the board....even if it is the truth?
Perhaps a better use of energy would have been to see what they could do to resolve the labor issues they currently have with the BPO musicians. Nah...that would have made too much sense!
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 9:06AM
Doug says:
An executive director making decisions in artistic areas?
Every hear of these three little words: CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
In an orchestra where the ED makes such decisions, before you know it, you will no longer have an orchestra, but first a chamber orchestra, then a chamber ensemble, and then BANDS playing pops concerts. And why is that? All in the interest of making more and saving MONEY. The ED's job revolves solely around the financing of the orchestra, NOT artistic policies. The ED SERVES the artistic policies of the orchestra NOT vice versa.
FIRE HER NOW.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 9:32AM
alan says:
I find it interesting how the "professional" musicians on here judge other musical groups. So that you know, the chorus I sang with was volunteer, but we had to audition for our place and re-audition every year, so please don't tell me that I wasn't a performer, because..hmm..we rehearsed..and, what's that, we performed...so I am a performer. Again, typical "professional" musician judging someone who doesn't get paid to perform.
I also ask that you take your own advice and remember that musicians shouldn't try to run the administrative portion of the orchestra. I will concede, the ED does seem to make a bit of money considering how much more she is making than our ED.
Working and Disgusted musician- just so you know, I have a life to live and bills to pay as well, but when I see and hear daily musicians complaining about how little they get paid and here I sit making $11.44 an hour...that's right...and I see the musicians making 6 to 7 times that..and I see music sitting here waiting to be picked up for a concert that is 3 days away...blah blah blah..I think I am justified in being fed up with musicians. I pray for the day orchestras go back to civic volunteer orchestras...oh wait..I guess those civic volunteer orchestra aren't really performers based on your statements!! I guess you judge fellow symphonic musicians as well based on if they are paid or not. I suppose I could do that since anybody can sing. In your own words...please remember your place..it's behind a stand on stage!!
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 1:04PM
Working Musician says:
Alan,
You are irrational. You are obviously bitter about something and cannot be reasoned with, and quiet frankly, it's a waste of everyones time to sit and do so. In no way did I try to imply that I should be part of the business aspect of running an orchestra, so where you got that notion is a mystery to me. Obviously the ED of the BPO doesn't respect the boundaries of that either. You seem to come back to money frequently. Nothing the musicians talk about comes down to money in the case of the BPO. If you are fed up with how much you get paid and you feel like your company is giving you the short end of the stick, maybe you should find a job that pays you better. You have implied that you are a well rounded employee who could work for many places. If that's the case you should have no problem finding a higher paying job. I'm sure that you have bills to pay as well. We all do. But that does not negate the fact that the musicians of the orchestra rely on that money to pay theirs and their years of dedication to the orchestra should be enough to secure their positions with the orchestra. As I said before, orchestras have dismissal policies. If these musicians were causing serious harm to the musical integrity of the orchestra, the music director would deal with it by letting them go. Its great that you had to re-audition for your spot every year with the choir, but if you weren't given your spot one year, it would not put a hole in your bank account. However, like I said before, it is in no way the job of the ED to deal with the musical quality of the orchestra. That's as logical as a doctor trying to tell a mechanic how to fix a car. How would you feel if you had worked faithfully selling tickets for 15 years and your boss came in and told you one day that you would have to compete with a new employee to keep your job, and if you didn't sell as many tickets as him you would be fired, even though you had been an integral part of the company for years? That is essentially what happened to the musicians who had to "re-audition" for their spots. You may have competition in your work place to raise standards, but years of experience will also give you job security. And if you want to split hairs about the comment about you being a performer, by definition I suppose you are, because you did just that. I was trying to tell you in a nice way, however, that just because you sang in a volunteer choir, does not mean you are a trained, quality singer. How many people auditioned and didn't get to sing in that choir? Orchestral auditions will generally attract 50-200 applicants for only one position. This in turn will result in a highly trained, well rounded, excellent musician winning the position. I think it is great you sing, I think everyone should be musical, I think it's something that our culture has lost, but don't try to put yourself on the same playing field with musicians who have spent their life studying their instruments to became well trained musicians because you sang in a volunteer choir. It is incredibly offensive. Finally, if your musicians aren't practicing their parts, shame on them. I think you have every right to think that is terrible, but that doesn't mean they aren't talented enough to sight read the music at an amazingly high level. By the way, have you noticed that of all the posts to this article, you are the only one who sides against the musicians? You may think that this makes you someone who stands up for what is right, but honestly, it really makes you someone who is trying to pick a fight and argue about something you are extremely uneducated about.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 3:01PM
Experienced Musician says:
May I suggest we all ignore Alan from now on? I really don't think Alan is from the Midwest nor a singer. I think Alan is probably Jennifer, her daughter or someone from the board trying to get a rise out of people.
I move we all ignore Alan and any comments "he" may have.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 4:18PM
Professional Musician says:
I second the motion.
All in favor...
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 5:00PM
Ginnie says:
Alan is a Troll. He/She should be put on ignore as Trolls only want attention and like to stir things up in blogs and forums.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 5:16PM
/alice says:
I hope Alan is not using his time at work to post comments about the musicians in the orchestra he works for. One theme missing from this discussion is how many orchestras are struggling and are on the verge of collapse. The most successful organizations have orchestras and administrations that respect each other and the jobs they each do. The public will get its fill of the bickering if it is allowed to be so public and accusatory. There should be rules in place for auditions; it is both fair to the organization and the orchestra members. There needs to be a reasonable amount of time allowed to prepare.
I have watched other orchestras try to become better by getting rid of core community members. I use the word "core" in the sense that with the expulsion of these core members quite often goes financial support and audience support. Most communities like going to concerts to see and hear their community players. Overnight transformation is not possible and should not be attempted. Top tier musicians are not cheap. It sounds as if the concertmaster has taken on more power than should be given to one person in that position. The whole thing sounds tragic, and I hope the orchestra survives.
Alan, I have been an orchestra librarian. Most wind and brass players have copies of music in their own personal libraries. They have probably worked on much of the major orchestra repertoire for years preparing for auditions. I'm married to a brass player from one of the major performing organizations in this country, and I know how much he prepares without having to pick up the music. He does not go to work unprepared. Please be kind. I hope no one in your orchestra has figured out who you are. You will be very sorry.
Alice
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 6:51PM
Happy Musician says:
Well said Working Musician.
Second the motion as well.
Alan is not even commenting about the BPO. She/He is only focusing on her/his orchestra here that there is nothing to do with this BPO thread.
My friend states orchestra jobs very well. We musicians are like Olympic Athletes/Fire Men.
We might not work as much as it seems, however we have to be ready whenever.
We are trained significantly long time, our field is highly competitive and a physically high demanding job.
I am one of a musician who is very grateful to my great job and co-workers.
BPO musicians, my heart is with you all.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 6:58PM
Music Lover says:
I have met some musicians who were pretty horrible people, but the majority of them have been truly upstanding individuals. There is a considerable amout of hard work necessary to be a professional musician. Not anyone can pick up a cello, viola, or bass and make beautiful music. It takes many years of hard work, a considerable financial commitment, and more than a little bit of talent. By all means, a musician should make far more than the ticket salesperson. What kind of professional organization would it be if the ticket guy got twice the pay of the musicians?
More importantly though, MUSICIANS DESERVE RESPECT. I've rarely come across wealthy musicians (for being musicians, that is). The vast majority of them make music because they love it, and want to share it with those around them. Not for fame and fortune (thought it might be nice).
An orchestra is it's musicians. Without the musicians, there is no orchestra. It sounds like the administrators need to get it together and learn to appreciate the talented individuals they have, instead of insulting them and ultimately driving them away. This ED sounds like a vindictive brat, clearly used to getting her own way. It's a shame because people like that can ruin things for everyone.
I wish you all the best, BPO Musicians. You deserve it.
Posted On: Monday, Dec. 8 2008 @ 11:46PM
Disgusted Musician says:
You hit the nail on the head, Music Lover. What some
people with limited or amateur experience in music who seem to have such a hard time wrapping their minds around the idea that musicians get paid seem to completely miss is that for
any musician good enough to win auditions, a long road of sacrifices were made to get there. Musicians must pay not only the same school expenses as anyone else but must also pay for instruments, music, many, many years of lessons, and then on top of all that, work
endlessly for years in a practice room perfecting their art for NO money and then spending more money traveling all over the place to audition in hopes of finding employment in an extremely competitive field with very limited
opportunities. Musicians invest this time and money into creating a finished product (themselves) that is hopefully a commodity in this highly competitive classical
music world of generally minimal pay and limited opportunities, and spend their entire lives finding ways to survive without having to give up this gift and passion they were born with to share with the world. Achieving financial security in music is not an easy feat for most and many have walked away from it - many very talented people - because the task of trying to survive as a musician is sometimes just too daunting. It's not an easy life and it's not usually a financially lucrative one, but if you can find a way to pay your bills and share those musical gifts with the world, that's what it's all about. Of course, everything I've just said will fall on deaf ears to those who need to hear it the most, but I think it's important to state it anyway.
Thanks for "getting it" and truly showing respect for musicians. It's a pity this attitude seems to have fallen out of fashion with those who could stand most to keep it.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 3:03AM
alan says:
I would welcome having to compete for my job because than it would allow me to show who is the better person for the position. I don't hide behind a union or other musicians to be where I am. If somebody was better than me, I would want them to have the job. Why?? Because they are the better of the two!!! And in essence, I "re-audition" for my job every year at my review! If I am not doing my job, I get fired. It's that simple. And it should be that way for musicians as well!! I don't think ANY musician should have tenure.
It also, doesn't upset me that you all want to ignore me. I could care less about what greedy "professional" musicians think. It will be because of musicians that small orchestras die. It's as simple as that. Small orchestras cannot afford to pay the insane amounts that part-time musicians want. If you honestly want to make that much money..then why don't you get a manager or get good enough to be hired by orchestras to be a soloist. Why..because you aren't that good. The best you can do is be a chair in a smaller orchestra and complain about how unfair you are treated!
And honestly..if you all hate the BPO and the people running it that much..why don't you quit???? The MD might be the one to hire and fire musicians but the ED is the one ultimately responsible for meeting the budget and the one who reports directly to the board about all things. And when the board tells the ED, you're spending way to much, the ED has to look at all aspects of the orchestra and see where cuts can be made. I've felt those cuts myself, so honestly, stop your complaining and either do you job or quit!!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 6:51AM
alan says:
"I hope no one in your orchestra has figured out who you are. You will be very sorry.
Alice"
This was the final sentence of a previous post. Please be advised that I will be reporting this to this paper as a threat against me. It can be read in no other terms.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 6:58AM
Alice says:
That was not a threat. Your working environment must be awful for you to have felt threatened. I have no idea who you are and am not the least interested. It really sounds as if you need to find different work. You are obviously very unhappy. I am only an amused observer of this whole business playing out on the internet. I also second ignoring you.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 7:52AM
Carrie Feiner says:
I think Jennifer is doing a SUPERB job!
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 8:21AM
Doug says:
She must me doing a "SUPERB job" as you say, she has you snowed. But then again.....
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 8:49AM
alan says:
I find it interesting how that Alice finds those words as non-threating.
I also find it interesting that an opinion that does not support the musicians is considered wrong and that the only way to believe is for the poor musicians who get treated so poorly all the time. This is why I have no empathy for the "professinal" musicians. Since I have been in my position, I have done everything I can from comp tickets to discounted tickets for musicians even when they treat me like crap. I still help them out the best I can and no matter what, it's never good enough. I also promote the musicians and what they do to all patrons and make sure patrons get the most out of their symphony experience. But again, no matter what I do it's never good enough for the musicians.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 8:58AM
darius says:
Some clarification: this thread is about the BELLEVUE PHILHARMONIC and the very real troubles there over a lack of respect for the musicians' contracts, not whether or not professional musicians are good people. We are like everyone else--some of us are wonderful people and some of us aren't. The point of the article is that we do not even know IF we have jobs, what dates to hold on our calendars for the group (though January is now decided), or if/when we might be called on to audition. The problem is NOT a desire (on the part of the musicians) for ironclad tenure--it IS the complete lack of fair and rational processes for hiring/firing musicians. The ED might be doing a good job in other areas, but the musicians have no way of knowing that because the ED's communication with us has been so spotty and contradictory. We all want the orchestra to survive and thrive. The musicians who have helped build the orchestra would like a shot at staying involved in the group we've given so much time to. Contrary to popular belief, we do not object to auditions--we object to arbitrary firings based not on talent, but on other undisclosed criteria unrelated to the musicianship of the individual players.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 9:32AM
Professional Musician says:
Carrie, Would you mind enlightneing us as to what specifically Jennifer is doing suberbly?
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 11:26AM
Disgusted Musician says:
Sadly Darius, the thread is larger than BPO because the problems arising through this particular orchestra, and the increasing utter ignorance and spite on the part of some administrators toward musicians, is playing out in the administrations of crumbling orchestras all over the country. BPO is a microcosm of a much larger problem affecting many modern-day classical musicians. Unless more people like Music Lover come to the fore and are willing to get involved and help formerly superb orchestras like BPO move forward, this group like so many others may well implode from within. As long as orchestra boards bring in and support leaders who harbor such contempt and disrespect for musicians as the current BPO ED does, these sad, destructive scenes will play out again and again. I never thought I'd see the day where someone selling tickets (which I have done many, many times myself, VOLUNTARILY I might add) expects the same level of pay and notice as someone who has dedicated their entire lives to perfecting their art, but sadly these are the times we are in. I think it's great that there's a thread here where we can talk about these issues (that hopefully can't be silenced by a paid shill attorney). But above all, I hope people reading this thread understand the delicate times we are in regarding the future of live performance of classical music. You shut out the musicians, the orchestras die and the opportunities for live performance of orchestral masterpieces die with it. It's just as simple as that.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 12:20PM
Doug says:
What is it about orchestras in Seattle anyway? Wasn't it a few years ago that an orchestra in Edmonds ran their conductor out on a rail for trying to make it "more professional?" Now maybe another one (BPO)will send an executive director packing for making the same mistake. Get used to it Seattle, you're a one (professional) orchestra town, period.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 2:21PM
alan says:
And without the administrative staff to run the orchestras they will die as well. I think what is missed most in this thread is that in no orchestra do administration and musicians play well. It's not one side or the other, it is both. And until musicians start respecting all administrative staff and vice versa, I will admit, there will never be peace and harmony.
I have to add a side bar, I like how you assume I have not spent any money on training or education. You assume that I am some person with no experience or training. I have spent alot of MY money on education and training as well, so I should be compensated appropriately for what I do as well and for the amount of blood, sweat and tears I have aquired to do what I do as well.
It is evidenced though, by the bile in the comments of disgusted musician and many of the musicians in this thread, that they have little to no respect for any person in the administrative portion of their orchestra.
I'll end it with this - without the musicians there's no musics. Without administration, there is nobody to run the business of the orchestra. We are all equal partners in our business and we should work together....as equals!!!!
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 2:26PM
Anonymous says:
You may be equals in the eyes of the law , but in terms of what an ORCHESTRA does, the administration serves the orchestra. Period.
Do you honestly think people pay good money (tickets or contributions) for the work of administration? In what alternate universe do you live? The People's Republic of Obamastan? Where "each according to his needs" is the guiding principle?
Now get a life.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 2:44PM
alan says:
Um...first of all, I do not "serve" the orchestra. I serve for and work for the patrons who pay alot of money to see a performance. And yes, I do think people pay good money and donate to support the orchestra. In fact, I donate as a quarter chair sponser to my orchestra as do all administrative staff. Very few musicians do though. Versus all staff members who do. And again, it's not because I make alot, but it's because I know the value of having arts in our community. So...it is yet one more way I give to my orchestra.
It's comments and attitudes like that of why I trully cannot respect musicians. I would love to see musicians run an orchestra. An existing orchestra would be run into the ground and a new orchestra would be closed in a year. The musicians I've experienced, including on this string, have proven to me that thay have no fiscal or business sense and would have no idea were to start.
Honestly, I will be sad for my administrative colleagues with the BPO and all orchestras who will lose their jobs. It is because of their sacrifices that orchestras are surviving. Until musicians start donating time and resources, I'll rethink that.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 3:30PM
Ludwig Van B says:
Does anyone know what happened to the previous executive director, who worked there for five years? Maybe the Bellevue Philharmonic should hire him back!
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 6:53PM
Professional Musician says:
Larry Fried was the previous ED with Bellevue. During his tenure, the orchestra was raised to a new level of visibility in the community, the number of Masterworks concerts increased, the school program was expanded and the musicians received modest pay raises. He was a former musician who knew how to run an orchestra and he was appreciated for that. He also had a good staff working with him, from Education Directors to Personnel Managers and others that were much appreciated. Sadly, all of those people were either fired or quit.
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 9 2008 @ 8:54PM
Freedytodshed says:
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Can somebody suggest some good company/website where I can get assistance for professional services in executive job search?
Thanks
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 10 2008 @ 12:10AM
For Whatever It's Worth says:
Dear BPO Board, Musicians, Administration (and Alan):
Some of you may remember me. I worked for the Bellevue Philharmonic for nearly four years, where I did everything from taking out the recycling to running the education program. I am also a violinist, and have played in an orchestra regularly since age 12. I serve on the board of a local community orchestra, and I'm an arts patron. So I've seen many sides of this story.
Being an arts administrator can be tough. When things are going well, no one notices. When things are going poorly, you're in the line of fire. Administrators are trapped in the middle between the musicians, the board and the patrons/donors, all of whom have their own agenda, and all of whom think THEY are the most important constituency! Let's just say it's not a job for people who need a lot of positive reinforcement.
This isn't the first time BPO has fallen on hard times. My first six months on the job I was made to field calls from (justifiably) irate musicians whose paychecks were overdue by many weeks. (I was hired to do filing and take ticket orders, mind you, but the ED was refusing to take calls). I don't think anyone, even the board, had a clue how close we were to closing up shop that month... fortunately a large, unexpected donation saved our bacon. After several more close calls the Executive Director eventually left of her own accord and was replaced by Larry Fried, under whom the orchestra saw stable, steady growth for several years. From Larry I learned to take joy in small victories, such as increasing the size of our education program, or winning a competitive grant. I learned that the absence of complaints is sometimes the highest form of praise in the arts world, because if no one knows your name or what you do, it's probably because you're doing a good job. I also learned the value of a diversified funding base- when an organization becomes too dependent on one or two income sources it is highly vulnerable to their whims. Developing many different income streams including ticket sales, individual donations and grants is very time-consuming, but ultimately provides a much stronger foundation for an organization... especially in an economic downturn.
We're in a downturn now, but not so long ago there was a lot of money flying around. Even during my last year at BPO, which was three years ago, I had the sense that many board members were blissfully unaware of how precarious things had been under the previous regime. It seemed to me the Board had begun to take the group's stability and steady growth for granted. Promoting a prestigious reputation for the orchestra has always been an important goal for the BPO board, and maybe Larry's plans weren't aggressive enough? Whatever the case, I'm sure the board was impressed by Ms. McCausland's resume, and apparently she convinced them that they were one audition cycle away from achieving this elusive prestige.
Labor disputes make the news, but from my perspective there is a broader issue here. What kind of organization does BPO want to be? It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors, in consultation with the community (including the musicians and the patrons), to make this determination. Does the BPO Board want to build upon its more than 30-year history as a full symphony orchestra, providing a dynamic live music experience for the growing Eastside community? Does the Board want to engage a music director with a strong artistic reputation, who is willing to challenge the orchestra to grow and develop musically through fair implementation of personnel policies? Does the Board believe it is valuable to provide Eastside students with age-appropriate educational outreach programs, through which BPO musicians actively engage the public?
Or does the board want BPO to become a presenting organization, putting on small chamber concerts funded and managed by one or two people?
Whatever the ultimate decision, I urge the Board of Directors not to cede responsibility for the strategic direction of the group so easily. And I urge the orchestra to hold the Board - not just the administration - responsible for developing this strategic direction. The Board has a responsibility to the community -- including the musicians, the patrons and the thousands of students who benefit from the outreach program each year -- to carefully consider their vision for the BPO. They should take into account the organization's long history as a full symphony orchestra, and the fact that stable, consistent growth IS possible in this form. Once a vision is articulated, it should be the primary role of the administration to help carry it out. Not vice versa.
I sincerely believe there is a place for a full-size, professional orchestra to serve the growing Eastside community. BPO has been that professional orchestra for more than 10 years, and has been performing for more than 30. I'll be rooting for you, BPO...
And to that cranky musician who cussed me out over the phone so many years ago, I forgive you. Thanks for toughening me up! ;)
K.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 10 2008 @ 1:47AM
BPO Musician says:
In response to "K" - thanks for sharing your story from an insider's point of view. As a long-time BPO musician, I heart-sick over this continuing turmoil. I agree that the Board needs to determine what kind of organization the BPO wants to be going forward, and that the orchestra needs to hold them responsible. I also agree that there is a place for a full-size, professional orchestra to serve the growing Eastside community. Obviously we didn't know how good we had it with Larry Fried at the helm.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 10 2008 @ 9:09AM
Grace says:
I've enjoyed coming to the symphony for years. What I gather from reading inbetween the lines, is the BPO management wants to toss everyone out and hire a brighter, newer, shinier orchestra. I am almost 90 years old and I can tell you that approach never works for one reason: you can't treat people like a commodity and not have serious consequences.
Grace
Posted On: Friday, Dec. 12 2008 @ 6:05PM
Akhuratha says:
Thanks, K! Long time no see!
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 16 2008 @ 7:21PM
love to play says:
My heart goes out to the musicians of the BPO. May I make a few observations? Alan, I'm sorry you feel unappreciated. I know many in the administration of orchestra I play in are present not only in the office all day, but come to rehearsals and concerts and I don't think they make as much as the musicians. (Thank you, guys! we couldn't do what we do without you). Once the communication starts to go, it's difficult to get back on track. It's sad when it gets to "them vs us". It is a good idea to say thanks every now and then!
Professional musicians can be a bit egotistical. That comes with the territory. They wouldn't have come so far without confidence and opinions about how things should go, otherwise they would never win and audition. A very difficult thing for a symphony musician to do is perform in a style opposite to his/her musical instincts when the conductor demands it. It makes them cranky. (we, the orchestra, are the "instrument" of the conductor.)
I digress from the point of the article...
If the musicians and the AFM are barred from even entering the BPO office, meetings or contacting the board, I wonder if they could mutiny and reorganize with the help of the AFM and some bright people like "k...for whatever it's worth". The musicians want to play. Put on a benefit concert to rally the support of the community. The Louisiana Philharmonic did it, though different circumstances.
Good Luck!
p.s. Alan, I think what Alice meant by "you'll be sorry" wasn't a threat, rather a warning; the backlash of the musicians in your orchestra if they found out how you were trash-talking them.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 2 2009 @ 1:18AM
some guy says:
hey K, I'd like you to come out to our show, and by the way, miss ya at the BPO, you and larry and C and E . I'll contact you via elsewhere.
and you are absolutely correct in everything you said.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 9 2009 @ 9:22PM
some guy says:
hey K, I'd like you to come out to our show, and by the way, miss ya at the BPO, you and larry and C and E . I'll contact you via elsewhere.
and you are absolutely correct in everything you said.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 9 2009 @ 9:25PM
Richard says:
I have been a season subscriber to the BPO for some 15 years or more. I missed last months concert. I showed up today expecting to see and hear an orchestra--I walked in to see the stage arranged for a chamber performance--no notice--none.I talked to the ED. Actually, I demanded my money back. I had signed up for the symphony thing--percussion and all of that. I did get my money back, but nothing else in the way of explanation or regrets. I will miss my civilized Sunday afternoons with the BPO.
Richard
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 11 2009 @ 9:22PM
Ludwig van B says:
Richard, your comments are very sad yet so true. You and everyone in the audience deserve to be treated much better. BTW, there is a rumor that the ED has cancelled Masterworks #4, in April. Does anyone know if this is true? I noticed on their website that the upcoming Valentine's Day concert has been moved from First Prebyterian Church to the Arts Museum. Jennifer is quoted in the new (January) issue of City Arts Magazine saying that she moved concerts to the Church because it has so many more seats than Meydenbauer and she can make more money. Why did she say that, then move the Valentine's concert?
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 5:53PM
what the heck says:
I think there should be a followup to the City Arts Article that points out they could only "sell" 50 tickets to the holiday concert before cancelling. Pretty hard to "double the revenue" on ticket sales that way. Gross incompetence, that's the explaination.
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 12 2009 @ 11:50PM
Ginnie says:
Ludwig:
The concert has been moved to BAM but the website is still showing the old full orchestra program. It's been turned into a teeny tiny chamber concert now.
And subscribers and ticket holders for the concert last weekend were not told about that change in program until they were give the program. Appalling!
And speaking of the program given out to the audience, the roster of musicians was conspicuously missing along with a bio of the soloist. BPO musicians were leafleting outside the building for the concerts and their leaflets showed the roster of who was missing. Had they known that there is no longer an orchestra at all according to the programs printed for the rest of the season, they would have included the roster of the entire orchestra. You know, those people on stage that create the beautiful music.
If there is a next time, they will be doing just that.
In Solidarity,
A long time BPO musician
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 13 2009 @ 10:26AM
tdodd says:
As far as I have heard (through the grapevine), the Valentine's concert is no longer a symphonic concert, and that is why it was moved to BAM. No problem filling a smaller space for chamber music. Who knows when (if ever) they will let subscribers know.
tdodd
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 14 2009 @ 10:17PM
Bozidar says:
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Hvala!
Posted On: Friday, Mar. 27 2009 @ 7:05PM
Ornarigreag says:
Hey everyone... how do I search for more than one word in other posts, so that it returns only posts with those two words?
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 3 2009 @ 2:05AM