We have a season

Chorus Colleagues:

It is certainly nice to know we have a season and the "late unpleasantness" is behind us, at least for a couple of years. I hope feelings will mend and that some longer lasting solution will be found.  As you may know, this has not been a good period for symphony orchestras in America. 

The Orchestra is to be commended for "stepping up to the plate".  The sad thing is that they could have had much the same settlement as they finally accepted. However, I can understand their feelings on the matter.  No question that Orchestra members took a big hit with respect to salary.  They did what they had to do regardless of the pain.  Some will have to rearrange their lives.  That is most unfortunate.  But the alternative would have been worse. 

Seems to me that management could have done a few things better. In retrospect I think Stanley's approach to us might have been  more business-like.  It appears to me that having once sung in a chorus or haviing attended a Shaw clinic or some such, he is "one of us".  He told me that once.  I think not. I'd rather have a "boss" who treats you like a professional.  We are "professional" in our approach.  We just don't get paid.  That's something Mr. Shaw believed is the right way.  I think he was (and is) right. And, perhaps, top management might have offered concessions going in.  But that is then and this is now.

Some have feared that the settlement might compromise artistic quality. If one is talking about numbers, I doubt it.  According to my research, when we recorded the Walton and the Bernstein in 1989, the Orchestra had 91 members, three more than presently.  As for the players themselves, I suspect self-respect and high standards will overcome hard feelings.  These folks are pros.  Will the Orchestra be able to attract top talent?  My guess is, "Yes".  There are many fine musicians out there, probably more instrumentalists available than vacancies. 

The big problem is, as it usually is, money.  We've read that the organization will start fund-raising in earnest in the aftermath of the settlement. 

We give of our time and effort because we love music, our organizaton  and each other.  Many would say that's enough.  At least for the short-term, I'd like to challenge fellow choristers to do a little bit more.  I'm pledging to increase our annual donation to the ASO.  Will everyone join me and contributing at least $100 or more this calendar year?  That's really not too much when you work it out in terms of things we buy on a frequent basis.  The total will not be huge, but every bit counts. 

I know not everyone in The Chorus reads this blog. Maybe someone can figure out how to get the word out to fellow choristers.

As a post script:  One of our colleagues had a criticism of my last post in which I suggested that management should consider putting everything on the table when it comes to cost-cutting, including education.  I agree that his criticism has merit.  If for no other reason, an organization like The Orchestra must be involved in the community.  Perhaps my suggestion was somewhat short-sighted.

Ed (Old #172)