Adaptistration

Columbus' Smoking Gun

If the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is destined to die, then patrons and the local community at-large deserve to know why the fatality should be investigated as a homicide. To that end, it is time to go hunting for clues and as it turns out, there's a smoking gun at the crime scene…

It’s The Board, Stupid

The 5/10/2008 edition of the New York Times published an article by Dan Wakin which introduces some valuable clues behind what is really going on behind the veil of spin coming from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) executive board. Among the quotes from CSO music director Junichi Hirokami, one in particular sheds light on the root of the organization's recent financial problems…

Columbus Board Prepares To Throw In The Towel

According to a Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) press statement dated 5/8/08, the board of directors has cancelled both of the organization's summer concert series, which have been a part of Columbus summers for more than 25 years. Furthermore, the statement asserts that "due to uncertainties surrounding the 2008-2009 season" the organization is deliberately not selling subscription or single tickets until after they reach an agreement with musicians on a new collective bargaining agreement. Does anyone else smell a self-fulfilling prophecy blowing in the wind…

Columbus Board Responds To Ratification Vote

On the heels of the unanimous decision by the musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) to reject the board's last, best, and final negotiation offer Robert Trafford, Columbus Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees Chair, issued a written response the following day…

Columbus Symphony Musicians Unanimously Reject Contract Offer

After several negotiation sessions, the musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) issued a press release early this morning detailing yesterday's ratification meeting...

Getting Empowered in Columbus

Although the topic usually doesn’t get much attention beyond the discussion stage, discovering meaningful ways to empower patrons is critical for the future success of this business. Fortunately, the internet offers a wide range of tools to those with the energy, concern, and inclination to build interest in their local orchestra. One superb example recently popped up in Columbus, Ohio when three patrons banded together to create symphonystrong.com. My Inside The Arts blogging neighbor, Ron Spigelman, recently published an excellent article on the trio’s efforts and a Columbus alternative newspaper published a feature around the same time. I won’t bother to repeat what both articles have already stated so well but I do want to point out one of the more innovative features at the symphonystrong.com website: the series of videos where figures throughout the local Columbus cultural scene express support for the website and its mission. I think the vids are a great addition and they inspired me to put together one of my own for symphony strong.com. After all, why should Columbus locals get to have all the fun? At the same time, putting together something elaborate wasn’t an option and yes, I had to take a phone call while the footage was being shot but as they say, it’s the thought that counts. You can find my contribution at the tail end of vids populating the symphonystrong.com website or you can watch it via the video player to your left and a larger version is availalbe here (sorry for not writing the text larger).

Speaking of using the internet and videos to spread a message, if you haven’t checked out the players’ association website for the musicians of the Arizona Opera, you should. Musician and web developer Bruce Hembd did a great job at putting together a well designed site that’s chocked full of even better content. Bruce even wrote an article about the process he used to implement the project, which was recently published at polyphonic.org.

Some Belated Thoughts On Columbus

Now that the 2008 Take A Friend To Orchestra program is completed, I can take a moment to properly address something that happened in connection to the ongoing situation at the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO). In particular, the 4/9/2008 edition of the Columbus Dispatch published an article by Michael Grossberg which stands out as the most reprehensible contribution to date among a string of disappointing articles that have been masquerading as acceptable coverage of the CSO's current situation…

As Negotiations Continue, Columbus Eyes Cash Flow

On Tuesday, 3/18/2008 the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) held their first official bargaining session with the musicians to discuss a new contract to replace the current agreement which expires on August 31, 2008. According to spokespersons from the CSO and the CSO musicians, the initial meeting was amicable and productive with both parties agreeing to a press blackout while talks are underway. There are several additional meetings scheduled through the end of April and CSO executive director, Tony Beadle said that he hopes they can agree on a new contract as soon as possible. In addition to the negotiations, the CSO's primary focus is managing cash flow…

Columbus Travels Around The Blogosphere

All of the recent Chicken Little oriented news reported in the Columbus Dispatch has prompted a considerable response throughout the cultural blogosphere. Some of it has been somewhat plaintive while other posts have been red-hot over how the situation is unfolding. In a related issue, although the Dispatch published an editorial in support of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) board's proposed financial plan, they have not pursued what is normal procedure for most newspapers by publishing an op-ed piece shortly thereafter although several have been submitted from official sources in opposition to the proposed financial plan. As such, here's a breakdown of who is writing what…

Dynamic Consequences Taking Shape In Columbus

The 3/12/2008 edition of the Columbus Dispatch published an article by Barbara Carmen that reports Franklin County, the county where the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is located, approved a $1.2 million matching grant for area arts groups and the CSO will receive a considerable share of those resources if they successfully raise the matching funds. Beyond the obvious fact that this is good news for the CSO, and all central Ohio arts groups, it is important to note that the article reports that Kate Matheny, grants coordinator for Franklin County, said "the goal [of the matching grant] isn't just to stabilize arts organizations, but to plan for their growth." Matheny's quote should serve as a warning shot to the CSO executive board…

In Columbus, The War Of The Rhetoric Begins

Updated 10:30 a.m. CT: The 3/14/2008 edition of the Columbus Dispatch published an article by Michael Grossberg which included some of the first volleys of traditional rhetoric usually reserved for contentious labor negotiations. In particular, the article reports that Tony Beadle, Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Executive Director, accused the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Musicians' Association of "rebuffing" the CSO board's recent efforts to meet with the musicians thereby jeopardizing crucial fundraising efforts. However, the article fails to report that the musicians never received a formal notice to initiate negotiations from the CSO board until the beginning of the week of 3/9/2008. Furthermore, the musicians accepted the request and notified the CSO board on 3/13/2008 that they would be willing to meet with them with counsel for the initial bargaining session as early as today, 3/16/2008…

In Columbus, They’re Playing Like There’s No Tomorrow

In a press release from February 26, 2008 the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Musicians voted to allow a live recording of an upcoming masterworks concert featuring Symphony No. 5 and the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Peter Tchaikovsky for Denon, which intends to release it on compact disc. According to the PR, the musicians voted to accept a reduction in payments that would allow the organization to produce the recording "for a tenth of what a normal studio recording of the same program would cost" at the personal request of Music Director Junichi Hirokami. And from the player's perspective it may be one of the CSO's last hurrahs…

Examining Columbus’ Master Agreement Part 2

Following the previous article in this set, I received an email from a reader expressing confusion over some of the provisions in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) master agreement which pertain to full time positions not provided for by name. In particular she wondered how a musician can have a full time position but not have that position protected by name in the master agreement. In short, the 22 CSO musicians who have full time contacts for positions which are not provided for by name are still afforded the same guaranteed employment status from one season to the next as are the full time positions for by name. Here's how it works…

Examining Columbus’ Master Agreement

Today's article will examine some of the unique components of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) maser agreement (also known as a collective bargaining agreement or "the contract") governing full time and per service musician employment. We'll also finish up the remaining few questions with CSO Executive Director, Tony Beadle…

An Interview With Columbus Executive Director Tony Beadle

On January 18, 2008 the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) board of directors released a strategic plan that called for a reduction in expenses by approximately 25 percent. Public reaction from the organization's musicians, music director, and patrons has been overwhelmingly unfavorable; however, the plan did receive support in the form of an editorial from the Columbus Dispatch. In order to find out more about the plan and where the organization expects to proceed, I spoke with CSO Executive Director, Tony Beadle, via telephone on February 5, 2008…

Examining Dynamic Reactions At Columbus

Although the news is barely one week old, patron reaction to the proposed budget cuts at the Columbus Symphony Orchestra have been intriguing. Sources for public response include the Columbus Dispatch, The Cincinnati Enquirer, and several blogs and social networking groups. Typically, community response includes a small amount of very opinionated voices on both sides of issues with the bulk of individuals falling somewhere in-between. However, since the issue broke last week, the overwhelming majority of voices seem to be speaking out against the proposed cuts…

Back To The Future In Columbus

The nice thing about getting old is history makes a nice cushion to fall on. That's exactly the case here at Adaptistration when it comes to recent events at the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Going back to 2004 when the Columbus Symphony Orchestra had their last negotiation (a reopener), the organization was asking musicians for substantial cuts due to revenue shortfalls resulting from, among other problems, severe accounting errors…

Loss Of Momentum

Among all of the gloom and doom talk mixed in with sunshine and rainbows there's an important conversation that doesn't get the attention it deserves in this industry.  I'm talking about the loss of momentum concerning fundraising on the board level.

An Interview With Dan Hart

I recently had the opportunity to talk to Dan Hart, the former executive director of the Columbus (OH) Symphony and the incoming executive director for the Buffalo Philharmonic...

Negotiation News From Columbus (OH)

This summer is unique in that it's one of those odd years when a large percentage of orchestras across the country are negotiating new contracts simultaneously.  For the small portion of orchestras that aren't negotiating, it's a nice time to focus on matters at hand and look forward to the upcoming season...