Tag Archive for 'symphony management'

Who is the problem?

Published
by
dtclarinet
on June 21, 2008
in Behind the Scenes, Columbus Cultural Politics, Off the Record, columbus symphony orchestra, symphony board and symphony management
. 3 Comments

WHO IS THE PROBLEM?

Columbus is the fastest growing region in Ohio. It is also one of the richest.

Arts business produces over $330 million in economic activity in the Columbus area. That’s 11,000 jobs.

The musicians of the Columbus Symphony play at a world class level. Other orchestras at this level are paid much higher salaries.

Yet, Robert “Buzz” Trafford, president of the Columbus Symphony Board, and a lawyer with Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, thinks the musicians are overpaid and are causing the problem. He has hardly ever attended the Symphony. He also uses Google to figure out how to run a symphony orchestra. He’s not interested in the professional and experienced opinions of anyone, unless they agree with his.

Tony Beadle, Executive Director of the Columbus Symphony, and supposedly a leader of the arts, called the orchestra a “dinosaur”. He mocked a passionate grassroots support base which was formed to help with the current crisis. Since he came here, the Symphony has taken a nose dive. He is incapable of doing his job effectively.

Tony Beadle and management overspent their own budget by $6.5 million in the past 4 years. That’s over $1.6 million community dollars wasted each year. None of this went to pay the musicians.

The musician’s expenses in the budget went down by $0.9 million in the past 4 years. Yet, the musicians are willing to immediately take a 7% salary cut to save the orchestra.

Buzz Trafford said he would think about accepting a thrid party mediator 3 weeks ago. He still hasn’t accepted it. What’s he afraid of? He also insists that the musicians pay for half the mediator’s fee, something which is unheard of in any musician negotiation. Management pays the fee, because management stands to benefit from the advice of the mediator. The musicians continued to do their jobs of playing music at world class levels. Management needs professional advice to solve the problems they caused and they should pay for it.

Who do you think is the problem?

When a baseball team is losing, who gets fired, the players or the manager?

Letter to Tony Beadle from Bob & Pat Nichols

Published
by
dtclarinet
on May 9, 2008
in Behind the Scenes and Our Supporters
. 0 Comments

I met Bob and Pat through email exchanges after one of my mass email letters. They attended both my recitals and have contributed enthusiastically to the brainstorming about or Symphony crisis.

Pat is presently an active volunteer in two WACSO units and Bob is a retired Architect. They have lived in Columbus enjoying the CSO for 52 years and have a daughter who studied flute with both Phyllis and Randy Hester, was a winner in piano in the Symphony Junior Youth Competition, placed second in the Senior Concerto competition and has a music degree from Indiana University.

Dear Mr. Beadle…

The action of the board/administration [canceling the summer season] is very, very sad, and I will add, shocking, indeed…..

Someday, I am positive, the real motives and circumstances determining these bizarre results will be known. They certainly are NOT what you, or someone, articulated in the “Statement of the Board and Administration” dated May 8 I first saw posted on the musicians’ web site, and I assume to be in the Dispatch tomorrow morning, if not later.. this has to be, it seems clear to me, a battle between some mysterious and hidden to the public (and I might add destructive) personalities, on or off of the board, that are determining these results.

I feel sorry for all of the sincere people trying to fulfill their responsibilities (musicians, administrators, and board members) caught here in the crossfire of others.

The most shocking thing to me, however, is the audacity in the referenced release to again lay responsibility for the circumstances and this FAILURE on the musicians. The ONLY entity here with any “bottom line” control or responsibility for the Columbus Symphony management, and accordingly this situation, both for the past leading up to and creating the present conditions, and for resolving now the problems, is the board and/or administration - I do not know which.

I can’t even imagine what happens now with “galas” (so called), and already scheduled, and some held, fund raising events, educational youth programs, public confidence, etc….. the community will not easily overcome this, I assume you understood that!

And, really, what logic is there in canceling, what I understand is, a consistently profitable venture - like the “outdoor” season - UNLESS the motivation (whose?) IS simply to cease operations?

Tony, if in your judgment there is ANY spark of hope or optimism here (or even if not), please - please, as quickly as possible, lead the board/administration to employ a mediator/consultant to guide the parties through to a resolution! It is ultimately clear a resolution will NOT come from any other means. Failure to do so implies to me the board/administration goals have already been met - please think about it, again!

Bob Nichols

Letter to the Citizens and Leadership of Columbus

Published
by
dtclarinet
on April 26, 2008
in Behind the Scenes
. 10 Comments

“The mission of the Columbus Symphony is to develop and foster the art of orchestral music at the highest possible artistic level. Through its concerts, outreach, and educational activities, it is a community resource that is a major component of the quality of life in Central Ohio.” -From the Columbus Symphony Management Strategic Plan

“…The board, musicians and community must work together (because) Columbus deserves and needs this orchestra,” -Anne Melvin, Columbus Symphony Trustee, Columbus Dispatch, 1/18/08

“The foundation of the ARTS in Columbus is the Symphony. It’s the treasure that supports the Opera, the Ballet, and educational programs for children in the public schools.” -Joann Foucht, Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Dispatch, 1/28/08

“Last night’s brilliant performance by this maestro and this orchestra made believers out of everyone: The Hirokami Era has begun.” -Barbara Zuck, Columbus Dispatch

“…In six years I can make this orchestra one of the best.” -Junichi Hirokami, NY Times, 4/12/08

“…Business leaders and artists throughout the nation (are) watching Columbus. They… hope to see a demonstration of confidence in the future of this city.” -Bruce Ridge, Chair, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) Letter to Editor, Columbus Dispatch, 2/6/08

To the Citizens and Leadership of Columbus-

The world is watching Columbus as the Symphony Board of Trustees and Management request large cuts from an orchestra whose members are performing with world class quality. The orchestra took 11% pay cuts three years ago, now restored, to help shore up sagging financial support following a lengthy period without an Artistic or Executive Director. Better results were promised. Now management insists on 40% salary cuts to stabilize the organization.

A gem of cultural pride, loved by Columbus audiences, the Symphony as we know it would not survive these cuts.

The people of Greater Columbus Community know and appreciate the exemplary quality of the Symphony. A flood of supportive letters to the Dispatch has demonstrated this. Our fine Orchestra contributes to the vitality of downtown, both economically and culturally. Thousands of people attend regular concerts, enriched by the unique experience of live classical music. Thousands more benefit from the outreach and education fostered by the members of the Symphony.

In the past decade, total non-musician expenses have increased an average of 7% per year, while total musician expenses increased only 4% per year. In fact, the percentage for musician costs actually went down from 47% of the total budget in the ‘99-’00 season to 39% in ‘05-’06. Musician costs for the ‘06-’07 season were around 42%, at the low end of the national average of 40-50%. (*-source footnote)

The current total musician expenses amount to about $5.4 million out of a $12.4 million budget.* Why not maintain the heart of the orchestra, its musicians, and create a satisfactory budget built on that? Untapped gold mines of volunteers are eager to help. Grassroots organizations can generate untold support and revenue. Several burgeoning efforts are already proving their value. As a community let’s move into action and make it happen.

The Greater Columbus Community accomplishes great things with the right leadership. We all need to step forward and rescue this gem for our city.

“Across the country, exciting things are happening for symphony orchestras. …attendance is up, downloads are rising faster than for any other musical genre, …and the New York Times is proclaiming that this could be “the Golden Age for Classical Music.” - Bruce Ridge, Chair, ICSOM

I encourage you to be a part of the exciting things that are happening for symphony orchestras. Together we can make this happen.

Respectfully,
David H Thomas
Principal Clarinet
Columbus Symphony Orchestra

“I still want to believe there’s a solution out there.” Tony Beadle, Executive Director, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Dispatch, 3/14/08

(* Sources- Total income and expense figures from audit reports provided by the CSO; Total musician expense figures from expense statements provided by the CSO)