15 replies to this topic

[safly]

Just browsing about this local UNION website recently. Very sad news to report.

What a shame.

www.musiciansdfw.org

[edperc]

What a shame.

Clarify please.

[safly]

A shame that it has come to this and that the TBT , if found to be true, took these desperate and drastic measures behind the backs of so many hardworking musicians. Musicians who have stood by this organization for so many years.

I agree with Mr. Hair's description of what concert goers are paying for and should expect to receive. Some of the best that this local union has to offer.

It's a shame that this boycott came about, and nobody ever wants to see that ARTISTIC DIVISION, especially in the local scene. But it is NOW necessary. The damage and betrayal appears to have been done.

Wonder if the news media is getting a hold of this story. Figure with the primaries now over, there is no better news than what's going on in our own backyard.

[safly]

What a shame.

Clarify please.

No.

[edperc]

Latest News:

http://www.star-tele...ory/882605.html

[safly]

Nice gesture.

Great stance by Hair.

[ramjet]

Didn't know where to put this, but another nice shout out to a Fort Worth institution by The New York Times:

Story on the 2 Strad violins in use by the FW Symphony

BTW, has anyone been in the new Arborlawn UMC? I drove by recently and the outside is spectacular. Now that's contemporary church structure that still looks like a church!

[Ron Payne]

Very cool - I took a picture of a Strad in the Smithsonian in DC many years ago - the closest I've been to one of these magnificent instruments!

[RD Milhollin]

Fort Worth Symphony musicians agree to contract extension through July 2016:

 

http://www.star-tele...le57418553.html

 

I suppose that news of symphony orchestras struggling with finances is not new, and there are certainly a lot of orchestras fighting for air in this region, but surely there are some innovative ways that the FWSO could generate revenue in order to finance a "growth plan",  including pay raises for musicians. Does anyone here have any informed insight into the organization? Is the management competent, are they hobbled by an inept board? Is the whole process just limited by an outdated financing morel, or are the leaders doing everything they can in the face of dwindling support from a wounded hydrocarbon extraction industry? Isn't the outdoors series in the Botanic Gardens a money-maker, and if yes, could this not be extended with a Pops Series (or something to that effect) at a new city amphitheater in Gateway Park? Is there any possibility that the symphony organization could work some sort of arrangement with the local film and recording industries, which by some reports seems to be growing if not yet healthy? More conventionally speaking, are the concerts full at Bass Hall? Is the pricing arrangement realistic and instrumental at attracting newer and younger ticket-buying patrons for the feature performances downtown? What am I leaving out, probably a lot...

[360texas]

About 20 years ago my wife and I took an Art's appreciation class at TCU.  The final class session was at a theater where a really old Russian "silent" film shown on back drop screen concurrent with the FWSO played a real time symphony music .  There was also a scrolling translator 'English' subtitle board above the orchestra.  The black and white silent Russian movie was about 30 minutes. For us it was a unique enjoyable event.

 

I am thinking Star Wars, Superman, South Pacific  or Oklahoma themes.  

[Jimmy]

From speaking with a former FWSO employee, I've gleaned that there are two main problems:

 

-The current management is fairly inept and fosters a toxic work environment that has caused a good amount of turnover on the staff.

 

-A very large percentage of the symphony's funding comes from a very small group of aging donors.  These donors like things traditional, don't like the "pops" events that are held now and are not interested at all in anything more progressive.

[360texas]

Jimmy,  maybe its a matter of simple communications between age groupings.  

 

My wife and I are 73 years of age this year.   We like the arts... but are only willing to pay for class acts.

 

Would you consider explaining to us in your view "What are considered 'Pops events' or more progressive type events ?

 

 

On a broader scale, my biggest grip is American Airlines Facility advertising their new and upcoming events.....  never see on local TV  limited advertising about what Arts and symphony going on in Fort Worth !  

 

So we are to think... yes you guessed it lack ability of acquiring up and coming events or promotions for Casa, Symphony events or Bass Hall.

 

If we are going to pay for an event.. it has to be an event in our option worth going to that we can relate to...  

 

 The paying public needs to be educated... help us understand the local Fort Worth events and why it benefits us....

[JBB]

So, they're having trouble paying their musicians, but you want them to advertise more?

I think it was in a FW Weekly article in the last couple of years that I read that one of the symphony's biggest financial issues is that they stink at raising money.

[Jimmy]

Jimmy,  maybe its a matter of simple communications between age groupings.  

 

My wife and I are 73 years of age this year.   We like the arts... but are only willing to pay for class acts.

 

Would you consider explaining to us in your view "What are considered 'Pops events' or more progressive type events ?

 

 

 

A few of their pops events from recent years that come to mind are the night with Ben Folds and the various themed nights (Beatles, Star Wars, etc) at Concerts in the Garden.  An example of something progressive that could really help fill the coffers is the album that the San Francisco Symphony made with Metallica in the late 90s.  I was in high school when it came out, and it was probably the first time a lot of kids in my generation really connected with the music of a symphony.  It sold more than 8 million copies and won a Grammy.

[360texas]

Thank you Jimmy

[RD Milhollin]

I may be in a (very small) minority, but I would enjoy an orchestral program of all Frank Zappa music.

 

PS Dweezil and the ZPZ band plays Grand Prairie next month.