On January 18, 2008, the Columbus Dispatch reported
the results of a “Strategic Plan” prepared
by the board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO).
The plan concluded, and the Dispatch reported, that
the CSO budget was to be cut immediately by $3 million—from
$12.5 million to $9.5 million. This was to be accomplished,
in part, by firing 22 of the 53 full-time musicians
and cutting the 46-week season by 12 weeks.
The plan had never been discussed with the musicians
during its development and the first they heard of
it was weeks before the first scheduled bargaining
session. At that first bargaining session, management
made that proposal for a one-year contract to the
union team (“Committee”). The union (Central
Ohio Federation of Musicians, Local 103) responded
with a proposal for a three-year contract with a six
percent cut in musicians’ compensation in the
first year, smaller cuts in the second, and recovery
in the third. The union’s proposal, of course,
did not include the firing of any current players,
but a willingness to discuss a reduction in the size
of the orchestra, gradually, by attrition. The CSO
response to this proposal was to drop the demand for
firing any musicians, but instead, proposed a reduction
in the total compensation of the 53 full-time musicians
by 40% and cutting the per service rate for subs and
extras from $150 to $100—a 33 1/3% reduction
for these musicians who enjoy few benefits and no
job security. That proposal, of course, simply moved
money around and the proposed budget would remain
at $9.5 million.
When that was rejected, the next proposal from the
CSO was that any money raised over and above the $9.5
million would be “shared” with the musicians.
An interesting proposal in light of their position
that it was impossible for them to raise any more
than $9.5 million in Columbus. When the union asked
about a multi-year agreement, the response was affirmative,
provided that each year was to be budgeted at $9.5
million. Nevertheless, in a further attempt to accommodate
the board, the union even proposed that if they insisted
on that magical $9.5 million, the union would accept
it, provided that the musicians’ share would
be $5 million—still a reduction from the previous
musicians’ compensation of $5.6 million by over
$500,000! This, too, was rejected and the management
continued to insist that the musicians’ share
be slashed to $3.6 million.
Because the management was obviously not bargaining
in good faith, the union proposed that the “bargaining”
end and that the dispute be submitted to impartial
binding arbitration. Once again, that proposal was
rejected. The response of the union was to suggest
that a consultant/mediator from the orchestra field
be invited to help. That suggestion was likewise rejected.
At that point the CSO team turned their previous
proposal into a “final offer.” In order
to dispel any notion that the Union and the Committee
were not truly representative of the orchestra, the
Union agreed to take it back to the bargaining unit,
albeit with a recommendation that they reject it.
And reject it they did—60 to 0. At the meeting,
not a single musician expressed any interest in their
“final offer” despite the Committee’s
admonition that rejection could mean the shutdown
of operations.
Upon learning of the vote and after one more meeting
with the union team, the CSO confirmed that no proposal
from the union would be acceptable which did not contain
a $9.5 million budget and a 40% cut in musicians’
compensation. With no further meetings scheduled,
the board then announced their intention to cancel
the seven-week summer season. In our opinion, for
a number of reasons, such a “shutdown” constituted
an illegal lockout. When the union would not relent,
the board followed through on the threat and the summer
season was cancelled. At the same time, the board
announced that the CBA was terminated. A grievance
was filed and the filing of an unfair labor practice
will follow.
After cancelling the summer season, the board finally
agreed to consultation/mediation with the executive
director of the Nashville Symphony, Alan Valentine.
Immediately upon reaching that agreement, management
insisted upon bringing in a labor mediator as well.
This had never been discussed—the CSO simply
chose the mediator and invited him. Nevertheless,
in order not to kill the mediation, and because it
is only mediation and not arbitration, the union agreed
to add the labor mediator.
The mediation lasted three days, and despite the
best efforts of the mediators, the “final offer”
of the management which was presented to the Committee
was rejected by the Committee and ultimately by the
overwhelming vote of the orchestra. As of this writing
no further meetings are scheduled.
July 23, 2008
CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION
OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.
FORMAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST THE COLUMBUS SYMPHONY
WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
MUSICIANS TO PRESENT BENEFIT CONCERT LED BY ALESSANDRO
SICILIANI THIS SATURDAY
Today the Central Ohio Federation of Musicians, Local
103, AFM filed unfair labor practice charges against
the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Inc. for violating
the collective bargaining agreement between the Union
and the Board by locking out the Musicians of the
CSO on June 1, 2008 and for failing to bargain in
good faith with the Union in an effort to negotiate
a successor agreement for next season.
The Board ceased all wages required under the current
contract effective June 1st and terminated all benefits
effective July 1st. A formal grievance previously
filed by the Union as a result of the lock out will
receive a hearing by an arbitrator from the American
Arbitration Association in late October or early November.
The Union expects to prevail which will result in
a debt to the Musicians of approximately $820,000.
Since the Board publicly announced its plan last
January to cut $3 million dollars from next season’s
budget, a 25% reduction to $9.5 million, it has not
wavered from that position. Since last April when
negotiations began, the Board has consistently demanded
that the Musicians accept cuts much greater than 25%,
far beyond anything that most working people could
afford to accept in central Ohio.
In response to today’s announcement by the Board
of the cancellation of all concerts through November,
Douglas Fisher, President of Local 103 said, “While
this news is no surprise to us we are deeply disappointed
that the real leaders and decision makers in Columbus,
the people who are controlling the CSO Board, are
allowing the deliberate execution of the orchestra.
Columbus is now the largest city in the country without
a comparable full time orchestra.”
This Saturday, July 26th at 7:30PM in Veterans Memorial
Auditorium, the Musicians will present a concert which
will unite them with former CSO Music Director Alessandro
Siciliani in a program of operatic favorites and
the Dvorak 8th Symphony. Today the Musicians invited
all members of the CSO Board to attend.
The final orchestra concert of the summer will take
place on Saturday, August 2nd with CSO Music Director
Junichi Hirokami leading the Musicians and
members of the Ohio State Marching Band in a program
to be announced. For tickets and further details on
both concerts, please visit www.mcsconcerts.org.
For further information please contact Douglas Fisher
at 614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also,
please visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official
website of the CSO Musicians for additional information.
CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION
OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.
Columbus Symphony Musicians Seek Mediation and Continued
Operations–
Cincinnati and Cleveland Orchestra Musicians Urge
Support from the City
The Musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
are seeking support from the Governor, Mayor, and
City Council to urge the CSO Board to accept non-binding
mediation in an effort to resolve the five-month old
crisis and to continue operations beyond the end of
this week. On Memorial Day, the Musicians met with
Board representatives to discuss a new financial plan
proposed last week by the Musicians. After several
hours of discussion, the Symphony rejected the Musicians’
plan because the Board refused to recognize the average
“in-kind” donation component of $1.6 million
each season in the creation of the Symphony budget
for next season.
The Musicians then proposed to the Board a comprehensive
Mediation proposal and are
waiting for a reply. Yesterday, Columbus Symphony
Orchestra Committee Chair Jim Akins, wrote on behalf
of the Musicians to Governor Strickland, Mayor Coleman,
and City Council President Mentel, asking them to
contact CSO Board Chair Robert Trafford to urge the
Board to accept the mediation proposal in an effort
to save the orchestra.
The Musicians also received a joint letter signed
by members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and
the Cleveland Orchestra urging the City to find a
way to support and sustain the orchestra (see copy
attached).
For further information please contact Douglas Fisher
at 614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also,
please visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official
website of the CSO Musicians for additional information.
####
A Joint Letter from the Musicians of the Cincinnati
Symphony Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra
May 20, 2008
The musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
and The Cleveland Orchestra are writing to express
our dismay at the decision of the Columbus Symphony
Orchestra management and board of trustees to cease
operations on June 1, 2008. This decision can only
be attributed to short-sighted leadership. Thriving
orchestras in smaller cities such as Nashville, Kansas
City, Fort Worth and Raleigh/Durham demonstrate the
possibilities for success in stark contrast to the
Columbus Symphony leadership’s lack of vision.
We urge the Columbus community to find the dedication
and the continuing financial support necessary to
sustain a vital major symphony orchestra for the following
reasons:
* Columbus is Ohio’s largest city and the capital
of Ohio. The lack of a prominent orchestra there would
reflect poorly on the cultural level of the entire
state.
* The highly-educated, creative knowledge worker is
the future of business development in all cities.
A symphony orchestra is as much a part of attracting
and retaining these workers as universities, libraries,
museums and other parts of the cultural infrastructure.
* One of the great American cultural accomplishments
of the 20th century was to bring access to top-quality
performing arts to cities across the country. The
loss of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra would represent
a setback for the 21st century.
* The Columbus Symphony is the backbone of the Columbus
arts community. Any child who studies music lessons
or plays in a youth orchestra, or anyone who attends
opera, ballet or chamber music performances, has likely
encountered Columbus Symphony musicians. These musicians
have dedicated both their professional careers and
their lives to the enrichment of the entire metropolitan
area.
* Music is a vital part of our heritage. Whether people
know it from Bugs Bunny cartoons or a symphony subscription,
it speaks to something universal in the human soul.
We call upon the Columbus community to find symphony
leadership that will broaden the orchestra’s
ties to the community and champion its music, rather
than use a few other struggling orchestras as an excuse
for under-performing. Ohio’s capital city should
set its goals high and accept nothing less than success.
Signed,
The Musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
and The Cleveland Orchestra
May
26, 2008
Today in negotiations the musicians' new
financial plan of May 20 was proposed and rejected. Subsequently
the following proposal was made and we are now waiting for
a response from the Board of Trustees.
CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION
OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.
Proposal to the Board of the Columbus
Symphony Orchestra to Continue Operations beyond May
31, 2008
May 26, 2008
The Central Ohio Federation of Musicians, Local 103,
AFM on behalf of the Musicians of the Columbus Symphony
Orchestra, propose to the Board of the Columbus Symphony
Orchestra that operations continue beyond May 31,
2008 under the following conditions:
1. All previous proposals exchanged between the Symphony
and the Local shall be immediately withdrawn.
2. Negotiations shall commence as soon as possible
with the assistance of a third party mediator selected
by mutual agreement between the Symphony and the Local.
3. A Mediation Committee comprised of five (5) people
who are not current board members, musicians, staff
members, or Local members, and who are selected by
mutual agreement between the Symphony and the Local,
shall be formed to assist the third party mediator,
the Symphony, and the Local to reach an agreement.
May 20, 2008
MUSICIANS PRESS CONFERENCE
Bruce Ridge, Chair of the International Conference
of Symphony and Opera Musicians
makes a presentation at the press conference of May 20,
2008
Above: Douglas Fisher, president of the Central
Ohio Federation of Musicians and second bassoonist of the
Columbus Symphony Orchestra briefly summarizes at a press
conference in Columbus on May 20, 2008.
Total Cash from Ticket Sales, Donations, Sold Services,
and Grants $9,500,000
Total "In-Kind" Services and Donations (based
on four-year average) $1,600,000
Total Income $11,100,000
Expense:
Total Musician Expense $5,000,000
Total Non-Musician Expense $6,100,000
Total Expense $11,100,000
- Achieves a balanced budget based upon cash income of $9.5
million, which the board and corporate leadership believes
to be the maximum amount possible
- Recognizes the consistent and substantial amount of "in-kind"
services and donations which support non-musician expenses
- Results in a $500,000 reduction in musician expense,
which when added to the $1.3 million in concessions given
three years ago equals $1.8 million in total musician concessions
- Allocates 45% of the total expense budget to musician
expenses, which is in the middle of the ICSOM orchestra
average range of 40% to 50%
- Preserves the present number of full-time and per-service
musicians
- Maintains the orchestra's high quality which has taken
decades to achieve
All figures obtained from
American Federation of Musicians' "Wage Scales and
Conditions in the Symphony Orchestra" for ICSOM (International
Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians) Orchestras,
2007-2008 Season.
*These figures were not available
for the 2007-2008 season; 2006-2007 figures were used instead.
There are 50 ICSOM Orchestras,
however the Kennedy Center Orchestra had no budget information
included.
April 25, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION
OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.
Columbus Symphony Musicians Unanimously Vote to Reject
Board’s “Final Offer”
Last night, the members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
unanimously voted by secret ballot to reject the CSO Board’s
“final offer” for a new contract which would take
effect next season. The offer called for a 40% annual salary
cut from all 53 Full-Time Musicians with no restoration
in additional years. The current minimum annual salary is
$55,200. Under the Board’s proposal it would be slashed
to $33,000. The Board’s offer would also require Musicians
to pay 30% of their monthly health insurance premiums, up
to $480 per month for Musicians with family coverage. In
addition, the wages per rehearsal and concert for part time
Musicians would be reduced from $150 to $100. The value
of these cuts from the Musician’s pockets would be
approximately $1.4 million for next season.
Previously the Board rejected the Musician’s proposal
to accept a 6.5% annual salary cut, to reduce monthly health
insurance payments in return, but to share in future premium
increases, and to leave vacant any non-principal chair during
long term leaves of absence throughout the contract. Depending
on the final number of vacancies, this would result in savings
next season of approximately $500,000. Three years ago,
the Musicians agreed to an 11% annual salary cut which resulted
in total savings over the past two and a half years of $1.3
million.
Early in the negotiation process, the Musicians proposed
that a third party consultant who specializes in orchestra
management be selected by mutual agreement and brought in
to evaluate the situation and to make recommendations to
both the Board and the Musicians. The Board immediately
rejected that proposal insisting that no assistance was
needed to resolve matters. They later offered to accept
the assistance of a consultant, but only in the future after
a new contract is reached.
The Board has told the Musicians that there may not be
enough money to continue operations beyond the end of this
month without agreement on a new contract for next season.
Because the Board’s proposal was presented as a “final
offer”, they will not consider any further proposals
from the Musicians.
Douglas Fisher, President of the Central Ohio Federation
of Musicians, Local 103 AFM, the union which represents
the CSO Musicians stated, “We are disappointed that
the Board has rejected immediate assistance from an orchestra
management consultant to advise both them and the Musicians.
The longer this crisis continues the more Musicians we will
lose. So far we have lost four high-profile Musicians to
other full time jobs next season and that number will likely
increase. It has taken decades for this small group of Musicians
to develop into the high quality ensemble that it is today.
Because there are only 53 full time Musicians, losing even
a small number of them has a profound effect on the orchestra’s
quality.”
Jim Akins, Chair of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Committee
and Principal Tuba said, “Key economic data even in
today’s economy proves that central Ohio has the means
to support this orchestra at an even higher level and that
our region is as strong economically as the four major cities
which surround it. Yet the orchestra’s annual budget
is two to three times smaller than the orchestras in those
cities. Central Ohio deserves an orchestra of high quality
and I hope that those who care will step up and refuse to
let it die”.
For further information please contact Douglas Fisher at
614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also, please
visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official website of
the CSO Musicians for detailed financial information on
the CSO and how it compares to surrounding cities.
####
How does the CSO compare
to the four major cities which surround it?
- The economy of the Columbus region is stronger than, or
on par with, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh.
- The annual budgets of the orchestras from those other
cities range from $27 to $42 million. The Columbus budget
is $12 million.
- The minimum salaries in those other cities range from
$75 to $110 thousand each year. Columbus musicians earn
$55 thousand.
- The number of full-time musicians in those other cities
range from 87 to 100. Columbus has 53
- The endowments of those other cities are all over $100
million. Columbus has only $14 million left, which is held
in trust by the Columbus Foundation, after spending all
of its unrestricted endowment to pay for the deficits from
the past several years.
- Of the top 50 orchestras in the USA, Columbus ranks 26th
in annual salary and 48th in number of full-time musicians
Sources:
+ U.S. Census Data, www.factfinder.census.gov
* American Federation of Musicians, www.afm.org
City Comparison by County
*All figures obtained from the 2006 U.S. Census found at
www.factfinder.census.gov.
+Cost of living comparison value found at Sperling’s
Bestplaces – www.bestplaces.net/col/
**All figures obtained from American Federation of Musicians’
“Wage Scales and Conditions in the Symphony Orchestra”
for ICSOM Orchestras, 2006-2007 Season.
A Ten Year Look at Columbus Symphony
Finances
Total Income and Expense figures are from Audit reports
provided by the CSO.
Total Musician Expense figures from expense statements provided
by the CSO.
Over the past ten years:
Total Expense has increased an average of 5.5% each year.
Total Non-Musician Expense has increased an average of 7%
each year.
Total Musician Expense has increased an average of 4% each
year.
Total Income has increased an average of 2.7% each year.
1997-1998 Season Total Income $8,239,030
Total Expense 8,080,911
Total Musician Expense 3,758,019
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 47%
Total Surplus for the Season 158,119
1998-1999 Season
Total Income $9,115,917
Total Expense 8,458,399
Total Musician Expense 3,771,371
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 45%
Total Surplus for the Season 657,518
1999-2000 Season Total Income $9,217,966
Total Expense 8,733,148
Total Musician Expense 4,099,746
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 47%
Total Surplus for the Season 484,818
2000-2001 Season Total Income $10,655,757
Total Expense 10,556,647Total Musician Expense 4,573,748
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 43%
Total Surplus for the Season 99,110
2001-2002 Season Total Income $10,402,520
Total Expense 10,379,212
Total Musician Expense 4,628,891
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 45%
Total Surplus for the Season 23,308
2002-2003 Season Total Income $9,769,816
Total Expense 11,072,526
Total Musician Expense 4,965,135
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 45%
Total Loss for the Season ($1,302,710)
2003-2004 Season (*14 months of data, see note below)
Total Income $13,879,645
Total Expense 14,783,795
Total Musician Expense 5,929,207
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 40%
Total Loss for the Season ($904,150)
2004-2005 Season
Total Income $12,225,263
Total Expense 12,525,073
Total Musician Expense 4,945,016
Percentage of Total Expense for Artistic Staff Expense 39%
Total Loss for the Season ($299,810)
2005-2006 Season
Total Income $11,816,696
Total Expense 12,639,062
Total Musician Expense 5,028,589
Percentage of Total Expense for Artistic Staff Expense 39%
Total Loss for the Season ($822,366)
2006-2007 Season
Total Income $10,436,301
Total Expense 12,610,768
Total Musician Expense 5,271,660
Percentage of Total Expense for Artistic Staff Expense 42%
Total Loss for the Season ($2,174,467)
*Note: From 1997-98 to 2002-03, the fiscal year
began on July 1st and ended on June 30th. In 2003-04, the
end date was extended to August 31st and the figures for
this year contain 14 months of data. For all seasons thereafter,
the fiscal year began on September 1st and ended on August
31st.
Accumulated Deficit since June 30, 2002 = $5,503,503
Average Annual Loss since June 30, 2002 = $1,100,700
March 15, 2008
The Columbus Dispatch - Balance A Top Goal In Symphony
Stories?
Today a commentary appeared in the Columbus Dispatch with
the truly laughable title, "Balance a top goal in Symphony
stories" by Editor Mary Lynn Plageman. Since the Columbus
Dispatch, in collusion with the management and board of
the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, broke the first story on
the board and management's plan to fire 22 of us and exact
a 30% cut in salary and benefits from the rest, all of their
reporting has been completely one-sided.
Official spokespersons for the musicians have spent hours
speaking with Dispatch reporters on the record, but despite
that fact, few quotes have been printed while numerous and
lengthy quotes by the board and management have appeared.
Since they broke the story last January, the musicians have
issued two press releases. Both were completely ignored
by the Dispatch.
In response to their grand editorial trumpeting the paper's
support of the board and management's plan, we requested
an op-ed piece of equal length and submitted two rebuttals
from the Chairman and General Counsel of the International
Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians. The Dispatch
rejected our request and refused to print either rebuttal.
Finally in a last-ditch effort to convey our side of the
story, we requested and were granted a meeting with the
Dispatch Editorial Board. In that meeting the editors politely
listened and asked intelligent questions which led us to
believe that they finally understood the true problems facing
the CSO from our perspective. But yesterday's front page
story confirmed that nothing has changed and the Dispatch
continues to report only one side of the story.
Though there is much in yesterday's story to rebut, the
most shocking omission is the fact that early this week
we finally received from the management and board, after
weeks of classic union-busting tactics, a formal request
to meet with them to discuss the situation in accordance
with our contract. The day before the Dispatch story appeared,
we accepted their request and offered to meet with them
as early as this Monday. None of this was reported by the
Dispatch and instead, a quote from Executive Director Tony
Beadle, falsely claiming that we have refused for weeks
to meet with them, was printed.
The Columbus Dispatch has no interest in balanced reporting
and today's commentary is an admission of this truth. Why
else would they print this defensive piece the day after
their latest attack on the musicians?
February 26, 2008
Columbus Symphony Musicians Vote To Allow Live Recording
Next week’s Columbus Symphony Orchestra program will
be recorded live for the international recording company
Denon, which will release it on compact disc. At the personal
request of Music Director Junichi Hirokami, the Musicians
voted to allow this recording under a new national recording
agreement which allows live recordings to be produced for
a tenth of what a normal studio recording of the same program
would cost.
“Although the Musicians will be paid far less than
usual for this recording, we want to memorialize the artistic
summit achieved by the CSO, which has taken decades to reach,
before it may be destroyed next season by controlling members
of the CSO Board and Executive Director Tony Beadle, who
are publicly advocating the firing of 22 Musicians at the
end of this summer”, said Douglas Fisher, a member
of the orchestra and President of the Central Ohio Federation
of Musicians, the Musician’s Union.
Most of the recording expenses will be personally underwritten
by former CSO Board Chair Gene D’Angelo. “We are
most grateful to Gene for his long standing support of the
CSO”, said Jim Akins, Chair of the Columbus Symphony
Orchestra Committee, which represents the Musicians. “Gene
personifies the high degree of passion and commitment for
the orchestra that the present leadership lacks, and which
is so desperately needed.”
The CSO will record Symphony No. 5 and the Romeo and Juliet
Fantasy Overture by Peter Tchaikovsky for the Denon release.
George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue will also be recorded
for possible release in the future.
For further information please contact Douglas Fisher at
614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also, please
visit www.symphonymusicians.com,
the official website of the CSO Musicians.
January 29, 2008
HUNDREDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD RALLY TO SUPPORT THE COLUMBUS
SYMPHONY MUSICIANS AND CONDEMN THE BOARD'S FUTURE PLANS
Since the announcement by the Board of the Columbus Symphony
Orchestra less than two weeks ago of their intention to
fire 22 Musicians at the end of this August and impose an
almost 30% salary and benefit cut from the remaining 31
Musicians by cutting 12 weeks from next season, interest
and support has poured in from all over the country and
as far away as London and Berlin condemning the Board's
plan.
The plan was developed in secret over many weeks and the
Musicians and Music Director were deliberately excluded
from the planning process. "No orchestra has ever solved
its problems on the backs of Musicians", said Douglas
Fisher, a member of the orchestra and President of AFM Local
103, the union which represents the Musicians. "The
cuts sought by the Board would be devastating to the Musicians
and their families and we will not accept them because they
will destroy the high artistic quality which has taken decades
to build. The deliberate exclusion of the Musicians, the
one group of constituents who possess the greatest institutional
memory and experience, is evidence of the Board's incompetence
and negligence."
Only two and a half years ago, the Musicians agreed to
accept salary and benefit cuts worth $1.3 million in return
for the Board's assurance that this donation would enable
them to leverage additional support and thus stabilize and
advance the orchestra in the future. "The Board failed
to keep this promise", said James Akins, Principal
Tuba and Chair of the Orchestra Committee, which is elected
by the Musicians to represent their interests. "Instead
of raising money and hiring the right people to run the
orchestra, they continued to burn what little endowment
was left and hired unqualified and inexperienced people
to fill critical Management vacancies. This is not a financial
problem, this is a governance problem".
For more detailed and
complete information, click
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