Symphonic Shorts

Palm Beach Opera Contract Ratified

Members of the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra have ratified a new three-year agreement. The new agreement includes wage increases of 3, 4, and 5% and pension contributions of 7.5, 8, and 8.5% in each of three years; a 28-day cancellation policy for all services; a new appeals committee structure giving the final authority in musical-performance player dismissal to the appeals committee; compensation for members of audition committees; and increased player input on hiring of extras and granting of tenure.

The musicians were represented by Local 655 President Peter Graves, AFM Negotiator Chris Durham, and Orchestra Committee members Rochelle Gnagey Skolnick (former chair), Diane Weisberg (new chair), Karen Hebermehl, Jennifer Potochnic, and Erika Venable.

For more information or a copy of the new agreement, please call the Local or visit the website.

News & Announcements

Both the Miami City Ballet and the Florida Grand Opera have bonded with patrons with dramatic results by using e-mail marketing to promote performances, sell tickets, and inspire loyalty, reports the Miami Herald…25 orchestras, including the Jacksonville Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, and the Florida West Coast Symphony, will receive $10,000 grants from the NEA designed to target communities traditionally underserved by the NEA...

Florida Orchestra Takes Cuts

Florida Orchestra members recently ratified changes to their 5-year contract which reduces the season from 36 to 31 weeks and cuts base pay from $28,008 to $23,897, as well as reducing pension contributions from 6% to 4%. While a number of orchestras have negotiated concessions due to economic troubles, the 16% cut in pay is the largest agreed to by any orchestra this year.

Ars Flores High School Concerto Competition

The competition is open to all high school instrumentalists. Audition tapes are due October 25, and semifinals will be on November 15. For more information, call (954) 764-4455 or visit:

 Http://www.arsflores.com.

New PBOO Members

As a result of recent auditions, the following have joined the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra:

• Tina Raimondi, Violin I
• Erika Venable, Assistant Principal Violin II
• Ruby Berland, Violin II
• Adina Plesa, Violin II
• Scott O'Donnell, Principal Viola
• Michael McClelland, Viola
• Matthew Heller, Bass
• Martha Spangler, Bass

Also, Eric Ohlsson has been appointed Principal Oboe. Congratulations to all!

• Posted: 10/01/03
Posted by: webmaster
• Category: Newsletter
[Print Version]