Local and Industry News
The Miami-Dade preservation board has voted to demolish the auditorium of the Coconut Grove Playhouse, and residents have filed an appeal.
Only the exterior of the 1927 landmark, which has sat vacant for a decade, has been designated as a protected historic site. The plan adopted calls for replacing the 1,100-seat interior with a 300-seat theater. The appeal will be heard in June.
The Georgia Music Investment Act has passed the state legislature and is awaiting signature by the governor. The bill would provide 15 to 20 percent tax credits for bands that begin tours in Georgia and spend at least $500,000, for recording projects that spend at least $100,000, and for movies and video games that spend at least $250,000 a year in Georgia. it is estimated that the music industry in Georgia has an economic impact of $3.7 billion annually.
Nadine Sierra has won the Richard Tucker Award, recognizing her as an American singer on the threshold of an international career. Sierra, a graduate of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, won the junior division of Palm Beach Opera's vocal competition at age 18. She went on to sing professionally for Palm Beach Symphony and Palm Beach Opera, and recently performed in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Mozart's Idomeneo.
recording
According to Nielsen, music streaming is on the rise. In the first three months of 2017, on-demand music streaming is up 35 percent, from 99 billion streams to 133.9 billion streams. The use of curated playlists is also up 49 percent.
The AFM is suing MGM and Paramount Pictures over wages and benefits to musicians for the score to the 2016 film Ben Hur. The AFM has a collective bargaining agreement with the studios, and the studios have failed to comply with the terms of that agreement.
Record company revenue in the UK has hit a new high. Revenue from streaming, downloads, and physical sales rose 5.1 percent last year. Streaming was the main source of growth in revenues, rising by more than 60 percent and now accounting for almost a third of revenues.
symphonic
The Pittsburgh Symphony has received $6.5 million from three local foundations. The Heinz Endowments has given a $2.5 million challenge grant, a $500,000 grant, and promised $1 million in 2020 and another $1 million in 2021 if the Symphony meets financial benchmarks. The Benter Foundation will give $500,000 over four years to support summer programming and another $500,000 if the Symphony meets financial benchmarks. Finally, the Eden Hall Foundation has given $500,000 as a challenge grant to inspire donors to increase their gifts.
The Sarasota Orchestra has received a "significant" gift from Ernest Kretzmer. The donation will support design, legal, architectural, engineering, and parking consultations as the Orchestra searches for a permanent home.
Musicians of the Saint Louis Symphony have ratified a new five-year agreement. The agreement raises wages 14.2 percent over five years, including four percent in the first year. Musicians will also receive one day of personal paid leave and a $2,250 bonus in the final year.
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