A Time to Build Posted on December 21, 2014 by saveoursymphonyatl
The lockout is over. Our ASO musicians are back where they belong – on stage at Symphony Hall. Now, our work begins.
The lockout left those of us who love our symphony musicians with conflicting emotions. Some of us questioned the wisdom of accepting the collective bargaining agreement that in its final form, did not give the musicians all that they had hoped to achieve. The contract did not guarantee that the musician’s salaries would be returned to pre-2011 levels, nor would they be at that level by the end new contract. Health insurance would be costlier than it was in previous contracts. In order to reach agreement, a number of other concessions were made. However, in return for a firm commitment from the WAC Board to grow the complement to its near -2011 level (95 musicians) the players ratified a new 4-year contract. It was their decision, and their livelihood, and their decision should be honored.
Others felt that there were still too many questions about the WAC finances that had not been answered. There was speculation of malfeasance on the part of the WAC, condemnation for the building of the Verizon Amphitheater, concerns that donations earmarked for the ASO had been diverted to other WAC entities and calls for an audit of the WAC finances.
Transparency was non-existent. Due to the rather convoluted relationship with the various entities under the WAC umbrella, it has been virtually impossible to ferret out the true state of the ASO finances, leaving many donors with a huge sense of mistrust toward the WAC Governing Board.
We understand and share that frustration. Rest assured that from here forward, SOSATL will hold WAC accountable for donations to the ASO. Should any solid evidence of misappropriation, current or past arise, you will read about it here and we will ask you for action.
Still others simply knew nothing of the conflict, didn’t understand the issues or refused to get entangled in the fray. They just rejoiced when their beloved orchestra was playing again.
We understand and share the mixed feelings that are evident in many comments on our Save Our Symphony Facebook page. Careless statements made by people in charge of the outcome of the lockout were taken at face value, instantly causing hundreds of people to hate the sources of the comments, because its easy and somewhat thrilling to hate people that you don’t know in an online forum.
Experiencing the fallout of this past season – two lockouts in as many years, bitter and acrimonious exchanges and a seemingly intransigent WAC Board – now competes with the strong desire of many to see the ASO on a solid financial footing. The conflict colors the sentiments of patrons, friends, donors and supporters alike. We understand this as well.
However, despite our understanding of the effect of what has happened on our listening public, SOSATL is issuing a call to action. We are calling you to be the new guardians of our beloved orchestra. It is time for the anger to end. It profits us nothing and breeds resentment in the very institution that we wish to preserve. It is time to remember, as the musicians have done, that ultimately, it must be about the music.
We have recently posted on our Facebook page links to other orchestras who have accomplished remarkable turnarounds. We asked our readers what all of the posts had in common. Sadly, there was only one correct answer. In each case, following a period of great turmoil, symphony patrons returned to their concert halls in great numbers and donations soared.
While some of this may be attributable to new programming or ticket pricing, the major reason for the upsurge was a determination by the listening public that they would support the orchestra that they nearly lost. Let us repeat:
The listening public determined that, despite what they and their musicians had experienced, they would support, though ticket purchases and donations, the orchestra that they nearly lost.
Their supporters have turned out by the hundreds, they have rallied around their orchestra and all of its sectors, they have put the acrimony of the past aside for the love of classical music.
Are we willing to do the same for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra?
To a large extent, her future is in your hands.
To every thing there is a season. There is a time for tearing down and a time for building up.
SOSATL served its purpose as a loud and effective voice of the public and we believe it substantially influenced the direction of lockout negotiations. We also believe that continued WAC-bashing will serve no good purpose and will do much to damage any rebuilding effort. What is important now is to build a very solid base of public support that will help move the ASO to financial security as well as serve as a primary supporter of the musicians.
If we do that and you join us in this effort, then in four years, WAC will know that it has a formidable group of citizens who are solidly behind the musicians – that our focus is on helping the ASO provide a world-class musical experience for all Georgians, whether it be through concerts, and education, or as an economic boost to the city, as the cultural gem of Georgia.
It is time to lay down what is behind us and lend our support to OUR Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony desperately needs increased and enthusiastic attendance, donations to help support operations as well as the endowed chairs and a general positive perspective built on trust and mutual respect. It may not be easy and may not always be pleasant, but it must be done for the sake of the musicians – for the sake of the music.
The musicians have, for better or worse chosen to sign their contract. They are moving forward not as separate entities, not as us and them, but as the ASO. We need to join them in that forward motion.
That will mean helping to influence, in a positive way, what we expect in a new CEO/President of the ASO. It will mean strengthening and supporting the ASO Board. It will mean encouraging the WAC/ASO marketing team to do a better job of getting information out to the public about everything from concerts to educational opportunities. It will mean finding new and innovative ways to get new audiences into Symphony Hall. It will mean stronger interaction between the musicians and their public through free concerts and appearances, sometimes in unexpected places.
This is where we need to put our energy. We cannot tear down and build up at the same time. Now is the time to re-build. For the good of the ASO, we must put anger and suspicion aside and move forward.
We are here to preserve the music for generations to come. That must be our focus. That must be our mission.
We need your help. If you are willing to join us, if you wish to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra become the vibrant, financially healthy cultural leader it should be, please notify us via email at [email protected] and we will add you to our mailing list.
The lockout is over. Our ASO musicians are back where they belong – on stage at Symphony Hall. Now, our work begins.
The lockout left those of us who love our symphony musicians with conflicting emotions. Some of us questioned the wisdom of accepting the collective bargaining agreement that in its final form, did not give the musicians all that they had hoped to achieve. The contract did not guarantee that the musician’s salaries would be returned to pre-2011 levels, nor would they be at that level by the end new contract. Health insurance would be costlier than it was in previous contracts. In order to reach agreement, a number of other concessions were made. However, in return for a firm commitment from the WAC Board to grow the complement to its near -2011 level (95 musicians) the players ratified a new 4-year contract. It was their decision, and their livelihood, and their decision should be honored.
Others felt that there were still too many questions about the WAC finances that had not been answered. There was speculation of malfeasance on the part of the WAC, condemnation for the building of the Verizon Amphitheater, concerns that donations earmarked for the ASO had been diverted to other WAC entities and calls for an audit of the WAC finances.
Transparency was non-existent. Due to the rather convoluted relationship with the various entities under the WAC umbrella, it has been virtually impossible to ferret out the true state of the ASO finances, leaving many donors with a huge sense of mistrust toward the WAC Governing Board.
We understand and share that frustration. Rest assured that from here forward, SOSATL will hold WAC accountable for donations to the ASO. Should any solid evidence of misappropriation, current or past arise, you will read about it here and we will ask you for action.
Still others simply knew nothing of the conflict, didn’t understand the issues or refused to get entangled in the fray. They just rejoiced when their beloved orchestra was playing again.
We understand and share the mixed feelings that are evident in many comments on our Save Our Symphony Facebook page. Careless statements made by people in charge of the outcome of the lockout were taken at face value, instantly causing hundreds of people to hate the sources of the comments, because its easy and somewhat thrilling to hate people that you don’t know in an online forum.
Experiencing the fallout of this past season – two lockouts in as many years, bitter and acrimonious exchanges and a seemingly intransigent WAC Board – now competes with the strong desire of many to see the ASO on a solid financial footing. The conflict colors the sentiments of patrons, friends, donors and supporters alike. We understand this as well.
However, despite our understanding of the effect of what has happened on our listening public, SOSATL is issuing a call to action. We are calling you to be the new guardians of our beloved orchestra. It is time for the anger to end. It profits us nothing and breeds resentment in the very institution that we wish to preserve. It is time to remember, as the musicians have done, that ultimately, it must be about the music.
We have recently posted on our Facebook page links to other orchestras who have accomplished remarkable turnarounds. We asked our readers what all of the posts had in common. Sadly, there was only one correct answer. In each case, following a period of great turmoil, symphony patrons returned to their concert halls in great numbers and donations soared.
While some of this may be attributable to new programming or ticket pricing, the major reason for the upsurge was a determination by the listening public that they would support the orchestra that they nearly lost. Let us repeat:
The listening public determined that, despite what they and their musicians had experienced, they would support, though ticket purchases and donations, the orchestra that they nearly lost.
Their supporters have turned out by the hundreds, they have rallied around their orchestra and all of its sectors, they have put the acrimony of the past aside for the love of classical music.
Are we willing to do the same for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra?
To a large extent, her future is in your hands.
To every thing there is a season. There is a time for tearing down and a time for building up.
SOSATL served its purpose as a loud and effective voice of the public and we believe it substantially influenced the direction of lockout negotiations. We also believe that continued WAC-bashing will serve no good purpose and will do much to damage any rebuilding effort. What is important now is to build a very solid base of public support that will help move the ASO to financial security as well as serve as a primary supporter of the musicians.
If we do that and you join us in this effort, then in four years, WAC will know that it has a formidable group of citizens who are solidly behind the musicians – that our focus is on helping the ASO provide a world-class musical experience for all Georgians, whether it be through concerts, and education, or as an economic boost to the city, as the cultural gem of Georgia.
It is time to lay down what is behind us and lend our support to OUR Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony desperately needs increased and enthusiastic attendance, donations to help support operations as well as the endowed chairs and a general positive perspective built on trust and mutual respect. It may not be easy and may not always be pleasant, but it must be done for the sake of the musicians – for the sake of the music.
The musicians have, for better or worse chosen to sign their contract. They are moving forward not as separate entities, not as us and them, but as the ASO. We need to join them in that forward motion.
That will mean helping to influence, in a positive way, what we expect in a new CEO/President of the ASO. It will mean strengthening and supporting the ASO Board. It will mean encouraging the WAC/ASO marketing team to do a better job of getting information out to the public about everything from concerts to educational opportunities. It will mean finding new and innovative ways to get new audiences into Symphony Hall. It will mean stronger interaction between the musicians and their public through free concerts and appearances, sometimes in unexpected places.
This is where we need to put our energy. We cannot tear down and build up at the same time. Now is the time to re-build. For the good of the ASO, we must put anger and suspicion aside and move forward.
We are here to preserve the music for generations to come. That must be our focus. That must be our mission.
We need your help. If you are willing to join us, if you wish to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra become the vibrant, financially healthy cultural leader it should be, please notify us via email at [email protected] and we will add you to our mailing list.
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