How Low Can They Go?

This is a question I dare not ask of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra management, because there is no seeming end to their hubris and failed attempts of manipulation. Mask of the Flower Prince did a beautiful job of analyzing the communication between the ASO and Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO) parents in which privately the ASO blames the Atlanta Federation of Musicians (AFM) for auditions being canceled and in a public press release used "softer" language.

The latest communication has the ASO offering the option for parents to donate the audition fee back to the ASO (and therefore the Woodruff Arts Center). Of course the fee will need to be paid again if the student decides to audition again. My, the ASO is very generous.

Not.

Wanda Yang Temko
Soprano 1
Member Since 1992

Begin forwarded message:

From:
Date: September 16, 2014 at 4:06:18 PM EDT
Subject: Application Fees

Dear Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Candidates and Families:

We hope to reschedule ASYO auditions after the current labor dispute has been resolved. We are happy to hold onto your application fees until the time we are able to reschedule. However, since we do not have a rescheduled date, we are giving applicants the opportunity to request a refund or donate their fees as alternative options. So at this time, your options are:

1. You may request we hold onto the fee in anticipation of an upcoming rescheduled date
2. You may donate the fee back to support the symphony (Fee will need to be paid again if student decides to audition when a new date is scheduled)
3. You may have the fee refunded to your credit card (Fee will need to be paid again if student decides to audition when a new date is scheduled)

Please click here to complete a brief survey by Monday, September 22, 2014 to advise on how you would like to move forward. If we do not hear from you by the end of day, Monday September 22, 2014, we will hold onto your fees until the issue is resolved. If you choose to have your fees refunded, we will be able to process an immediate refund to all credit cards within 10 business days.

*If you made payment in another form or if for any reason we are unable to refund your credit card, you will be contacted directly regarding your refund.

Thank you for your patience and assistance while we begin processing refunds of your application fees.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

______________________________________________________
Program Assistant
Student Musician Programs
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
1280 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 4074
Atlanta, GA 30309