Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-10-06 03:06
JJAlbrecht started an interesting discussion about the Detroit Symphony Orchestra strike. Sylvain started another about Alessandro Carbonare and the Chicago Symphony clarinet auditions. On the surface these two topics don't seem to have much in common, but I'm wondering if the outcome of the DSO situation could have a negative effect on the audition processes in other orchestras (including the CSO) in the future.
Here's why. The Detroit Symphony management, along with demands for pay cuts, also wants the the musicians to take on other duties. I don't think everything has been completely defined yet, but these duties could include teaching, small ensemble performances, library work, public speaking, and fund raising. Many musicians already do these things, but on a voluntary basis. If the DSO management gets its way, these activities would become a required part of the job. Here's a link:
http://www.detroitsymphonymusicians.org/proposalbrevisited.html
I'm sure other orchestras are watching the DSO situation carefully. If DSO musicians end up accepting other mandatory duties, will this become a new trend? Will the ability to perform other jobs become part of a prospective musician's job description? Will a clarinetist who is preparing for an audition also have to go through a formal interview? I can see it now: "Ok, Mr. Carbonare, we were very impressed with your playing, but as you know, performing is only one part of your job description. Tell us a little about your experience working in an orchestra music library." Or: "Mr. Leppäniemi, you play very well, but with our finances so tight, we'll need you to get out there to work the phones for our annual fund raising campaign."
Could orchestra musicians in the future be fired for poor performance in the non-playing part of their jobs? Tenure is slowly disappearing in the academic world, and the DSO management wants to eliminate it. I can imagine this future conversation: management calls in Bob, a twenty-year orchestra veteran, to dismiss him. He's told, "Bob, you've been an important member of our cello section for twenty years. Your musical skills are top-notch, but your evaluation for the other parts of your job are poor. We gave you a fund raising quota of $5,000, but you only raised $2,000. When we sent you out into schools for your required teaching and performances, the evaluations from the students were poor. Your library work has been substandard. We have some very talented young cellists eager for an orchestra position, and they'll cost us less than what we're paying you. Sorry to have to do this, but that's the way it is."
This all sounds strange, but in this economy, nothing is as it was. Unions, including musicians' unions, are struggling. Workers everywhere are being asked to do more for the same or less money.
Post Edited (2010-10-06 03:09)
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