In Tuesday’s (12/11) San Diego Union-Tribune, Angela Chen writes, “San Diego’s longtime chamber orchestra, Orchestra Nova, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. According to a statement released by Chief Executive Officer Beverly Lambert on Dec. 7, the bankruptcy was caused by the orchestra’s inability to reach an agreement with the Local 325 branch of the American Federation of Musicians. For much of this year, Orchestra Nova had been in talks with the union over salary increases and the proposed change from typical yearlong contracts to concert-by-concert contracts for musicians. According to former Orchestra Nova Artistic Director and Conductor Jung-Ho Pak, the concert-by-concert approach, allowing for different musicians each night, would have added renewed emotion to the orchestra’s performances. But representatives from the union said that this contract made the musicians’ livelihoods too unstable. As a result of the impasse, Pak resigned two days before the season was set to begin, leading the orchestra to cancel its opening performances. … Though Orchestra Nova—originally formed in 1983—will cease operations, it will continue its music education programs by turning them over to the leadership of Russ Sperling, who is the president of the San Diego Winds, an ensemble comprised of musicians from local universities, symphonies and groups.”
Posted December 11, 2012
