Seattle Musicians' Statement on Atlanta Symphony Lockout | September 12, 2014 http://m.ssopo.org/news/index.html
The musicians of the Seattle Symphony are saddened and dismayed by the Atlanta Symphony's profoundly destructive decision to lock out its musicians. Rather than negotiate in good faith, the ASO board and management are again seeking to place the burden of sacrifice on the Atlanta musicians. Just two years ago, the musicians agreed to make sacrifices with the promise that management would find a path to fiscal stability and lasting artistic greatness. ASO management is now breaking that promise.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, with its long and esteemed history as one of the nation's premiere orchestras, has for decades been the crown jewel of Atlanta's arts scene. ASO musicians correctly recognize that the way to maintain this tradition of excellence is through inspired, energetic, and imaginative leadership, with an eye toward cultivating its most valuable assets: the artists themselves. The current ASO leadership seems to offer precisely the opposite. The musicians of the Seattle Symphony stand steadfastly in support of our Atlanta colleagues during this difficult time, and will assist them in any way we can as they attempt to preserve the excellence of their institution and ensure a future of artistic greatness.
The musicians of the Seattle Symphony are saddened and dismayed by the Atlanta Symphony's profoundly destructive decision to lock out its musicians. Rather than negotiate in good faith, the ASO board and management are again seeking to place the burden of sacrifice on the Atlanta musicians. Just two years ago, the musicians agreed to make sacrifices with the promise that management would find a path to fiscal stability and lasting artistic greatness. ASO management is now breaking that promise.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, with its long and esteemed history as one of the nation's premiere orchestras, has for decades been the crown jewel of Atlanta's arts scene. ASO musicians correctly recognize that the way to maintain this tradition of excellence is through inspired, energetic, and imaginative leadership, with an eye toward cultivating its most valuable assets: the artists themselves. The current ASO leadership seems to offer precisely the opposite. The musicians of the Seattle Symphony stand steadfastly in support of our Atlanta colleagues during this difficult time, and will assist them in any way we can as they attempt to preserve the excellence of their institution and ensure a future of artistic greatness.