Trouble in INDY?

[Ben]

http://www.ibj.com/ailing-symphony-prop ... icle/36348

My feelings go out to all those affected. I hope things resolve favorably

[joh_tuba]

In the mid-90s the ISO was one of the financially strongest orchestras in the country. I've not been to a concert in the last decade but I have fond memories of performances that I would put up against any major orchestra. The management at the time was especially smart about making decisions that would continue to increase the financial stability of the orchestra. I remember them taking a lot of pride in that fact. It would be interesting to know what has changed in the last 15 years.

[kontrabass]

It would be interesting to know what has changed in the last 15 years.

Well there's the whole matter of...you know...near GLOBAL ECONOMIC COLLAPSE....

[J.c. Sherman]

I call B.S. These failures never come from the orchestra musicians... they come from bad decisions, bad ideas, failure to recognize successes, and the failure to adapt to change. None of those are faults in the product. I've seen it happen so many times!

And I've seen the other side where it's done right.

You can't run a not-for-profit like a business... it's a different kind of animal.

J.c.S. (working for an orchestra in the black)

[BVD Press]

None of those are faults in the product.

This is 100% dead on, but the product has a lot of competition now.

The product is still great, but what happens around it are the things that need to change to continue to bring people and dollars in.

[J.c. Sherman]

I call B.S. These failures never come from the orchestra musicians...

I know nothing of the ISO, the musicians of the ISO nor their community. My comment below is generated from experiences with other situations in other communities:

When the musicians are aloof and disconnected from the community that they serve (and that's what they do, "serve"), they are indeed part of the problem. Musicians have to be advocates for their own product when interacting with their customers. "Pedestal sitting" is no longer a viable approach.

I can concur only slightly. They do have to be advocates - positive role models and spokespersons - for their art and orchestra. Most (not all) musicians I meet in my orchestras are just that, they are willing to stay after for soires and post concert receptions, sign fundraising materials, etc. What I don't agree with is putting onus on them to be staff people, as DSO and others have pushed for. To do so implies a skill set not usually present and relieves staff, executive or otherwise, of their very real responsibilities. That is, again, a B.S. proposition.

LJV, I'll inquire casually, are you an advocate for your organizations? Just curious. How 'bout the rest of y'all?

J.c.S.
(Development Manager, Cleveland POPS Orchestra)

P.S. I realize that the POPS perhaps serves better the wants of it's available audiences

[Michael Bush]

The sense of entitlement in that comment tail is telling. So much anger that, in effect, this year is not 1962. If the board would only do right, and the donors would act like they owe the orchestra money (which is how some of the commenters seem to see it), nothing would ever change and everything could go on forever the way it always was.

I truly hope this works out perfectly for the musicians, board, and city. If it does, it won't be because everyone huddled in their own corners nursing resentments.

[J.c. Sherman]

To which comment are you referring?

[bort]

[This is meant as a joke...]

I think that professional orchestras should operate the same way professional sports teams do. Contracts, single/multi-person trades, entire groups that up-and-move to another city...

[PMeuph]

[This is meant as a joke...]

I think that professional orchestras should operate the same way professional sports teams do. Contracts, single/multi-person trades, entire groups that up-and-move to another city...

Since you went there....



Specific reference to your point a 2:33...

[Heavy_Metal]

[This is meant as a joke...]

I think that professional orchestras should operate the same way professional sports teams do. Contracts, single/multi-person trades, entire groups that up-and-move to another city...

Since you went there....



Specific reference to your point a 2:33...

Good one!

[tbn.al]

Atlanta too!

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51331" target="_blank

I don't know whether to buy my ticekts now or what. Don't know if there is going to be a season or not? I am used to attending 4 or 5 concerts a year but what now?

[BVD Press]

Some more info.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... ck_check=1

Drastic cuts:

""

According to committee chairman Rick Graef, a horn player with the ISO for the past two decades, management wants to reduce the number of musicians under contract from 87 to 63, cut wages by 45 percent, reduce the schedule from 52 to 36 weeks and revisit the terms of the musicians’ pension.

""