Klarinet Archive - Posting 000057.txt from 2009/11

From: "Forest Aten" <forestaten@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Seasonal nature of a seasonal opera company...
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:43:58 -0500

Some good news for the Dallas Opera orchestra..

Our current contract with the DO...calls for about 20 weeks for this season. For the first time in many years, the
schedule isn't running concurrently. We have a two month break, (Nov/Dec) then perform two operas...and break again for
just over a month and perform three more operas. This kind of scheduling makes it very tough for orchestral players to
"make a living" playing their instrument. Teaching jobs at universities are held by about ten members of our orchestra.
Almost everyone in the orchestra supplements their income with a private teaching schedule of some sort....from a few,
to many students. Others...with odd jobs...

The good news! It seems the management of the new opera hall is going to hire the DO orchestra for some/hopefully all of
their Broadway productions. If things work out...a long term collective bargaining agreement would help control costs
for the hall...and create a more stable working environment for the musicians (at least for a core) in the opera
orchestra.
We would/could become the "house orchestra"!!!

So...on to top flight Broadway at the new Winspear Hall. South Pacific starts in December and runs three weeks. Yea!
This really, really beats the options. LOL

Forest

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