Local and Industry News
Arturo Sandoval has backed out of a proposal to work with the Arsht Center in creating a jazz club at the center. Sandoval cited bad timing and a difference of opinion as the reasons for failing to reach an agreement.
Recording
EMI revenues rose 61 percent in the first quarter of 2008, to $119 million. The increase was partly due to strong sales of Coldplay's new album, "Viva la Vida."
Warner Music has signed an agreement with SendMe to distribute artist ringtones, video ringers, and wallpaper images. SendMe has a similar deal with Universal, who also hopes to cash in on teens and young adults, who are strong users of mobile phones and text-messaging.
SonyBMG has signed a deal with Muzu TV to create personalized TV channels for music fans to present on social networking sites such as MySpace. Users will be able to interact with bands and labels and share music legally. Revenue will be generated by advertising, and there will be no costs for users.
Tunecore is becoming a low-cost substitute for a music label in helping musicians distribute their product. Founded in 2006, Tunecore provides low-cost support services such as storing digital media, placing media on sites such as iTunes, Amazon, Napster, and Rhapsody, and compiling sales reports. Musicians pay only one-time charges for uploading and distribution, and all sales revenue is paid to the musicians.
Symphony
The Columbus (OH) Symphony has suspended operations. In a move frighteningly reminiscent of the Florida Philharmonic bankruptcy, the Orchestra locked out its musicians on June 1 after they refused to agree to draconian cuts. Management initially demanded reductions in the core from 53 to 31 musicians and a cut from a 46-week season to a 34-week season (resulting in a 27 percent pay cut for the remaining musicians). Management later countered by leaving the core intact but reducing wages by 40 percent, and later still offered to cut wages by only 27 percent if the musicians would support the firing of their music director, Junichi Hirokami, who has sided with the musicians during negotiations.The Columbus Symphony musicians had previously agreed to a concessionary package in 2005 when negotiating their current contract, which expires on August 31, 2008.
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