Symphonic Shorts

AFM Unity Conference Report

Jay Bertolet (Florida Philharmonic) & Rochelle Gnagey Skolnick (Palm Beach Opera) attended the AFM Unity Conference this August. This second Unity Conference brought delegates from several AFM Player Conferences—including ICSOM, ROPA, and OCSM—together to meet and learn from each others’ experiences. Delegates also had the opportunity to meet with AFM President Lee, Secretary-Treasurer Nelson, and members of the Symphonic Services Division to discuss issues of concern. Some of the conference events included:

Negotiating Orchestra Workshop

A day-long workshop was held by SSD prior to the opening of the Conference for delegates from orchestras which will be negotiating contracts in 2003 (including Palm Beach Opera). Delegates discussed strategies for engaging musicians in working toward the growth of their orchestras, including better communication and education, new member orientations, one-on-one recruiting of new Orchestra Committee members, and Orchestra Committee apprentice programs. They also discussed ways to effectively survey players to better gauge priorities and eliminate allegations of personal agendas during negotiations. Finance guru Ron Bauers also gave a presentation on reading audits he performs on orchestras. When requested, Bauers reviews audited financial statements, IRS returns, payroll sheets, managerial operating budgets, and Trustee endowment reports to give a more informed picture of the financial health of an organization to aid in negotiations.

INS Undermining Job Security

When the Kirov Orchestra recorded the soundtrack for “K-19: Widowmaker,” they not only violated their visa, they took work from American musicians. While this instance impacted recording musicians, the INS’ failure to take action and disregard for the AFM’s advisory opinion shows that this could open the door to other abuses and encourage exploitation by foreign orchestras. During the Atlanta Ballet strike, management approached a foreign orchestra to perform in place of the striking musicians, and it was through AFM intervention that this did not happen. If the INS again fails to enforce immigration law, things might be different next time.

The AFM is lobbying for investigation of the INS’ failure to enforce  immigration law, and members’ assistance by taking mass action when needed and making contributions to the TEMPO Fund will be crucial in protecting future work from being taken from American musicians by foreign touring ensembles.

Conference information in future issues:

The full reports of the delegates are available by clicking here: ICSOM or ROPA.

Anton Guadagno, 1923-2002

Many words have been used to describe the artistic director of Palm Beach Opera-passionate, driving force, high-energy, legend, guiding spirit, beloved, instinctive, and of course “Maestro.” At the helm of Palm Beach Opera for 18 years, Guadagno was also  resident conductor of the Vienna State Opera for 30 years, principal guest conductor of the Tokyo Philharmonic for 5 years, and he also conducted at the Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, Teatro Colon, the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, and for notables such as Pavarotti, Domingo, Tebaldi, Dimitrova, Milnes, Alagno, and Gheorghiu. Guadagno, with his heavily accented English and his shock of orange hair, transformed Palm Beach Opera from a small company to a major regional force. He developed the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra and was the driving force behind the Opera’s annual Vocal Competition. He will be greatly missed.

PBO Audition Winners

News & Announcements

Myrna Meeroff recently won the instrumental division of the Rising Stars competition in New York and will be making her Carnegie Hall debut in the Fall of 2003...Plato Karayanis, former General Director of the Dallas Opera, has been named interim director of the Palm Beach Opera...the opening of new Miami Performing Arts Center, slated for fall 2004, has been pushed back for at least several months and possibly until the 2005-6 season...

Share/Save/Bookmark

Write reply

This item is closed, it's not possible to add new comments to it or to vote on it

Comments must be approved before being published.