Local and Industry News
The Metropolitan King County Council (Seattle, WA) has approved new funding for the arts.
"Doors Open" is a 0.01 percent sales tax increase that will support local nonprofit organizations and provide free access to programs for youth, seniors, and others. The tax is expected to generate $72 million next year and $100 million the following year.
recording
Congratulations to member Richard Bravo for willing two Latin Grammys! Richard won Best Instrumental Album for Made In Miami (along with Camilo Valencia) and Best Arrangement for Songo Bop (from Made In Miami).
Spotify is reducing is staff by seventeen percent, or about 1,500 positions. This is on top of a six percent cut in January and a two percent cut in June. While these cuts are said to be the result of the end of the pandemic-era boom, Spotify has just posted its first quarterly profit since 2021.
symphonic
New York City Ballet musicians have ratified a new three-year agreement. Wages will rise 17.4 percent in the first year, 7.7 percent in the second, and 3.3 percent in the final year.
The Charlotte Symphony has hired their first black music director. Kwame Ryan will assume the position in in the 2024-25 season. Ryan grew up in Trinidad and studied at Cambridge. He was general music director of the Freiburg Opera and has also served as music director of the National Youth Orchestra of France.
