Atlanta Symphony

[Stephen Fine]

I have friends in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and their ranks populate ours.

The agreement just reached, the capitulations made by the musicians are traumatic, and unfairly felt.

The orchestra is too small for its administration. The players offered a generous deal weeks and weeks ago. The new concessions they've made show just how dedicated they are to a world class ensemble in Atlanta.

J_______ H________ (cellist) says:

"This unfair contract begins the long fight to not only bring this orchestra back to where it was and deserves to be, but to ensure that it doesn't happen again by finding a leadership that does, in fact, lead. Not cut, lie, hide or make excuses - LEAD. Such a shift will take everyone playing their part (on and off the stage), and I look forward to the positive changes we will bring to this orchestra! Onward!!"

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If you haven't been following the story, educate yourself. Atlanta is a first-rate city, it should treat its first-rate musicians with the respect they deserve.

[gowan]

I have friends in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and their ranks populate ours.

The agreement just reached, the capitulations made by the musicians are traumatic, and unfairly felt.

The orchestra is too small for its administration. The players offered a generous deal weeks and weeks ago. The new concessions they've made show just how dedicated they are to a world class ensemble in Atlanta.

J_______ H________ (cellist) says:

"This unfair contract begins the long fight to not only bring this orchestra back to where it was and deserves to be, but to ensure that it doesn't happen again by finding a leadership that does, in fact, lead. Not cut, lie, hide or make excuses - LEAD. Such a shift will take everyone playing their part (on and off the stage), and I look forward to the positive changes we will bring to this orchestra! Onward!!"

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If you haven't been following the story, educate yourself. Atlanta is a first-rate city, it should treat its first-rate musicians with the respect they deserve.

Does the orchestra have an active board? Too many non-profit arts organizations have boards populated with people who like to see their names as board members but who don't do any real work to support the organization beyond allowing their name to be used. When the chips are down it is the board of directoers who have to step up to the plate and raise the money. And the board also has to see that the management is not running the organization into the ground. If there are too many people in management the board should cut the management. So I blame the board of directors when this sort of crisis occurs. Unfortunately, when there is a serious crisis it does not reflect badly on the directors.

[poptart]

It's tough to say what a strike will accomplish.

Chicago pulled it off efficiently and quickly, although they didn't have major issues.

Detroit went on strike for 6 months and then was basically forced to accept the offer they went on strike over in the first place. That's a lot of money to lose for the players, especially if they have house payments, car payments, kids in college, etc.

Detroit was in a situation where the city failed to rally behind the orchestra because the city itself was in a poor economic health.

Minnesota and Atlanta are both facing a difficult time now. They're both great orchestras and there is no doubt they will be fine in the long term, let's hope everything gets resolved quickly for the musicians.