Symphonic Shorts

Airline Carry-on Baggage Problems...

Palm Beach Opera Orchestra member Rochelle Skolnick was forced to purchase a separate ticket for her 250-year old violin when she flew out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. A Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music professor could not get through Delta Airline security at Cincinnati/North Kentucky International because his violin was too big. United Airlines forced American String Quartet violinist Peter Winograd to purchase a ticket for his violin on the spot in San Francisco.  Student instruments have been destroyed while traveling in baggage, and a bassoonist had reeds confiscated while trying to get through a security checkpoint.

With liability for checked baggage limited to around $2,500, or slightly more for an added premium, checking musical instruments is often not an option, and purchasing a separate ticket every time, just to be sure there won’t be a problem at the security checkpoint, can get expensive.

Last year, Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. It was supposed to address inconsistent treatment of carry-on musical instruments. The problem is, the government guidelines are not mandatory, the airlines still set carry-on policies, and what gets carried on is often at the discretion of gate agents or security personnel.

The AFM is currently working with the Transportation Security Association to write standardized guidelines, and members’ support and TEMPO contributions are vital. In the mean time, call the Local or visit the website for tips on traveling with your instruments.

News & Announcements

PBO Orchestra Chair Rochelle Gnagey-Skolnick has been appointed to an AFM Health Care Task Force which includes representatives of the AFM, ICSOM, ROPA and employers…

Additions to St. Francis Music Publication Catalog

Editor Lucas Drew announces new transcriptions of works by Dvorak, Brahms, Corelli, Popper, and Hindemith for double bass and piano. For more information, call (800) FOR-ELKIN or visit the website:

Http://www.stfrancismusic.com

Music Students Protest

Music Students at Lynn University are protesting the nonrenewal of conductor Arthur Weisberg’s contract, which expires in May. Twenty of the school’s 50 students have signed a letter decrying the decision.

Grants

New World Symphony…$50,000 NEA 2003 Creativity Grant

Audition Winners

Palm Beach Opera Orchestra:

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