Symphonic Shorts
Lights, Action...Camera??
We know we’ve beaten the Delray incident into he ground, but we all know that it wasn’t an isolated incident. Just this year, several symphonies were recorded for either television or radio broadcast without any additional compensation to the musicians. Neither Symphonic players nor Casual musicians are immune to the abuse.
Why should we get paid for the recording, anyway?
When you buy a new TV set and take out an extended warranty, you have to pay extra. The store does not initially give you anything extra for your money, and you may never get anything for your money. But you get an extra piece of mind should something go wrong in the future. When someone records your performance, they are getting an additional product. They may never use it, they may never make any money off of it, but they are getting more product than just the original performance.
Are there any times when it’s OK to not get paid for a recording?
Not really...Orchestras with CBA’s have provisions for archival and promotional footage, but orchestras without a CBA must pay for even these.
How do you protect yourself?
Make sure there’s a contract filed! There’s not much we can do without a contract in place, but there are so many options for contracts that there should be no problem in finding one that will work. Let us know about any recording dates or unannounced cameras. It’s worth the anonymous call; there’s nothing to lose and the least we can do is work to see that it won’t happen without a contract in the future.
Palm Beach Opera Orchestra Elects Committee
For the first time in the orchestra’s 4 years of existence, they have elected a committee to represent the orchestra and to improve communications both within the orchestra and with management.
The goals of the committee are to make working conditions within the orchestra more comfortable and to prepare for the future as the Opera continues to grow. To that end, they hope to organize better service and to prepare an orchestra handbook to educate their members. The Opera has been in business for 35 years and has never had a written agreement with the musicians; the committee hopes to show management that they are valued employees and an integral part of the Opera’s future.
Their first function was to host a party for the orchestra after their Vocal Competition Concert on April 26. Members had a chance to chat with the committee and also to fill out a survey to let the committee know what issues are important to them. Committee members are:
Mik Groninger (chair), Virginia Barnes, Johann Bast, Michael Forte, and Diane Weisberg.
Congratulations!
Palm Beach Opera Gets New Home
The Palm Beach Opera has finalized purchase of land adjacent to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The 3.13-acre site, costing $4.1 million, will be the location of their new Opera Center, which will contain office and rehearsal space and eventually a small theater. Their major opera productions will continue to take place at the Kravis Center.
Fl. Grand Opera Breaks Record
Ticket sales for the 1997-98 season surpassed $3.5 million, breaking all records in the company's 57-year history. Ticket sales rose 11 percent over last season, bringing overall paid attendance to 86 percent of capacity.
News & Announcements
Stewart Robertson, recently seen conducting L’elisir d’amore for Florida Grand Opera, has been appointed their new music director...James Brooks-Bruzzese, music director of Symphony of the Americas, has been appointed music director of the Greater Palm Beach Symphony..John Graham, former Director of Strategic resources with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, has been appointed interim Executive Director of the Boca Pops...Raul Azpianu recently released a CD of tangos...The New World Symphony was profiled on CBS Sunday Morning and will be taped for PBS broadcast...
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