Dead Cat Bounce

For those unfamiliar with the expression “Dead Cat Bounce,” it comes from the world of finance as a way to describe “a temporary recovery from a prolonged decline or bear market, after which the market continues to fall (source)” – even a dead cat will bounce if dropped from high enough. This phrase came to mind after reading an article by Jeffrey Sheban in the 3/5/2010 edition of the Columbus Dispatch that reports on a 16.6 % budget cut at the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) over and above the 28% cut from the previous season… (more…)

A Much Needed Class Act

The 3/19/2009 edition of the Columbus Dispatch, reports that piano soloist Emmanuel Ax is waiving his fee for this weekend’s performances with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Regular readers (and everyone else in the business not living under a rock for the past season) know all about the CSO’s troubles so Ax’s generosity, which was reportedly his offer, demonstrates the right attitude at the right time. I wish the same were true of all soloists across the board… (more…)

Help Wanted: Conductor Yes Man

Recently, conductor Bill Eddins commented on the decision by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) to dismiss music director, Junichi Hirokami for what he described as ‘[looking] around, saw a bad situation, and spoke out on behalf of the organization and, most importantly, the welfare of his musicians. The response: ‘Sayonara, Junichi!’” Bill couldn’t be more correct in his analysis and I wanted to examine this situation from another perspective… (more…)

Breaking News: Hirokami “Departs” Columbus Symphony

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) released a statement today announcing what was described as  the “departure” of Junichi Hirokami as the organization’s music director. It is not yet clear if Junichi resigned for the position of if he was dismissed by the CSO board, however, based on a comment from CSO board chair, Martin Inglis, it looks as though the decision came from within the organization, “…as we move forward into the new season, we have agreed with Mr. Hirokami that we will do so under the leadership of a new Music Director,” said Inglis. “And we are currently in the process of recruiting a new Music Director for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.”
UPDATE 4:25PM CT: According to a letter from Hirokami, he was dismissed by the CSO board… (more…)

Don’t Let The Door Hit Your Ass On The Way Out

The 9/28/08 edition of the Columbus Dispatch published another article about the post-agreement environment within the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and yet again, certain members of the CSO leadership demonstrated they still suffer from foot-in-mouth disease… (more…)

Columbus and Oregon Reach Agreements

I was going to launch the new Adaptistration platform today but news of an agreement between the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and its musicians arrived in the late afternoon so I think it is best to postpone the launch for one day in order to get the information out. As such, here are the details provided by both parties… (more…)

Unfair Labor Charges Filed In Columbus

Musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) filed unfair labor practice charges the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Inc. claiming that the organization is violating the collective bargaining agreement between the Union and the Board by locking out the Musicians of the CSO on June 1, 2008 and for failing to bargain in good faith with the Union in an effort to negotiate a successor agreement for next season. A copy of the musicians’ press release detailing the charges is available here. Meanwhile, the musicians continue to produce summer concerts. One upcoming event on July 26, 2008 features former CSO conductor Alessandro Siciliani. For more information about the concert event, visit www.mcsconcerts.org.

What They Said

Talk about foot-in-mouth disease, it looks like the comments from Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) executive director, Tony Beadle, have landed the exec in hot water with the music directors over at Sticks and Drones. In a recent Columbus Dispatch article, Beadle stated that CSO music director Junichi Hirokami’s lack of residence in the Columbus area was the source of some of the organization’s problems. Sticks and Drones co-authors Bill Eddins and Ron Spigelman tactfully aerate Mr. Beadle’s posterior over his position and if you haven’t read their contributions yet, then you’re missing out. Read Bill’s post first then go right into Ron’s post.

Ignorance, Thy Name Is Columbus

Recently, a colleague pointed out a comment posted by Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) trustee, Sheldon A. Taft in response to Janelle Gelfand’s June article in the Wall Street Journal about the ongoing problems in the CSO. Taft’s response to Gelfand’s article, although passionate, only serves to reinforce that the CSO executive board and trustees are suffering from a debilitating case of ignorance with regard to their current problems…

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In Columbus, A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Or more accurately, a picture is worth around 1,500 patrons. Regard
less of the fact that the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) executive board decided to cancel summer concerts due in part to the possibility of low turnout, the CSO musicians have successfully demonstrated that there is ample interest in summer programs. The photo to your right shows the approximately 1,500 in attendance at the 7/11/2008 concert given by CSO musicians. For more information about upcoming CSO musician concerts, visit http://www.mcsconcerts.org.

Beadle? Pot? Kettle?

In case you haven’t been keeping up with the latest news coming out of Columbus, the Columbus Dispatch published some articles about developments in the mediated negotiations. In particular, the musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) rejected the latest proposal from management that would have required the musicians to assist in firing music director Junichi Hirokami, who has been a vocal proponent of the musicians and equally critical of the CSO’s executive board…

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Knowing When To Quit

The 6/19/2008 edition of the Wall Street Journal published an article by Janelle Gelfand (the Cincinnati Enquirer music critic) that asks whether or not this is truly the end of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Currently, the CSO executive board continues to rebuff calls for mediation, has fired the staff (although executives continue to work with full pay and benefits), cancelled the summer season, and failed to pay the musician’s for the most recent pay period. On the other hand, the organization has no accumulated debt, negligible debt from this season, and as Janelle’s article points out overall attendance was up 11 percent this season and nearly 10 percent of their 55 concerts were sold out. So what’s the problem?…

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