 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-02-26 14:23
http://detroitsymphonymusicians.org/goodbye-percussion.html
The first large-scale defections from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra have begun. The entire percussion section has left for greener pastures with other nationally-ranked orchestras. Meanwhile,Anne Parsons and her team of mis-managers continues to strive to make any agreement impossible between the DSO and its musicians.
A sad day.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: vin
Date: 2011-02-27 02:37
I fully support the musicians of the DSO and hope for a speedy and equitable resolution. That being said, however, the above article is somewhat misleading. Even had the Detroit Symphony been in excellent financial health and without labor strife, Dan Bauch and Jacob would have left anyway; Detroit is an amazing group, but Cleveland and Boston are better ensembles, are more prestigious, and have better salaries, even in good economic times.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-02-27 14:03
If there's such a thing as an orchestra section that could disappear and actually IMPROVE the group by doing so, it would be the percussion.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-02-27 15:53
Presumably new players will be auditioned and hired. But how does that work during a strike? Would prospective players have to cross a picket line? Is whatever committee that needs to convene able to do so?
I don't blame these men for seeking opportunities elsewhere in their specialized, competitive field. But the ensemble will perform again eventually (one hopes) and they will need to be fully staffed.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-02-27 16:43
Not only would they probably have to cross picket lines, but if they got hired, it would be at the new, lower-scale. THe DSO is trying to impose a two-tiered salary system. In addition to pay cuts for current members, new hires would come in even lower.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: vin
Date: 2011-02-28 00:36
The audition committee is made of musicians and the process is governed by the collective bargaining agreement. The musicians are on strike over the failure to come to an agreement over said CBA; there won't be any auditions until the strike is over. No one interested in a orchestral career would cross a picket line; it's career suicide. No one will have to, though, as there won't be any auditions without the musicians.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-02-28 03:00
Vin is correct. When a union orchestra is on strike in the USA there are no auditions allowed. That would be considered unfair labor tactics and would be upheld by the courts. The only way auditions can be conducted is if they declare bankruptcy, cancel the entire contract and get permission from the courts to reorganize under a new name and create a new orchestra, doubtful, and hopefully, that would not happen. Many orchestra's have recently threatened to do that, including here in Baltimore, but we gave in to many of their demands and reached a settlement that reduced out salary and benefits by about 25%. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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