Symphonic Shorts

Atlanta Ballet ends Strike

On Monday, September 18, after a year-long strike, musicians ratified a new three-year agreement with management. Musicians received all of their original demands, including an overall 12% wage increase (8% in the first year), specific guarantee of annual work, and AFM Pension Fund contributions beginning in the second year.

This agreement was reached only because of pressure put on management by the collective force of AFM members across the country. To those of you, including The Indigo Girls, who refused to cross the picket line, wrote letters to management and the press, and supported the Atlanta Ballet musicians in their goal to reach a fair agreement, we thank you for your show of solidarity. This strike proves that together, we can make a difference.

News & Announcements

Lawrence Johnson, music critic of the Chicago Tribune, has been appointed classical music writer for the Sun-Sentinel...Paul Lapinski, assistant general director of Florida Grand Opera, has been appointed general manager of Palm Beach Opera...John Sparrow, former operations manager for the Florida Philharmonic, has been appointed vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Symphony...Jo-Michael Scheibe, director of choral studies at the University of Miami, has been appointed chorus director of the Florida Philharmonic...Jeffri Bantz, leader of the Florida Singing Sons Boychoir, has been appointed associate director of the Florida Philharmonic Chorus...Eliesha Nelson, former violist with the Florida Philharmonic, is now the first black woman member of the Cleveland Orchestra and was profiled in the Cleveland Plain Dealer...Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the New World Symphony, was recently profiled on 60 Minutes...

New Boca Pops Members

Luisa Bustamante-Schantz, Cello (1-year position)
Dan Cotter, Clarinet (1-year position)
Jacqueline De Los Santos, Assistant Principal Bass
Jason Lindsay, Section Bass