Monday (4/11) on the PBS Newshour program, Ray Suarez reports, “Amid cheers and applause, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra took to the stage this weekend for two free performances, their first since a six-month-long strike. Much of the dispute was over how deep a pay cut musicians would have to take to help the struggling symphony balance its budget. After marathon negotiations, a salary decrease that averages 23 percent over three years was finally agreed upon last week. That brings the minimum salary down to roughly $80,000. The orchestra will also have fewer musicians.” DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin says, “We learned that there is a global community out there who is phenomenally interested in what we do. Our job now is to capitalize on all those people who were involved in the discussion and to say, how can we reach you? How can we become actively part of your life?” Suarez interviews Mark Stryker of the Detroit Free Press, who followed the strike closely, about the causes of the strike, the challenges ahead for the organization, and the weekend’s concerts. To watch the full segment, click here.
Posted April 13, 2011
