“Broad smiles and upbeat comments are expected Wednesday evening at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall when details of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s 2015-2016 season, the organization’s centennial, will be unveiled,” writes Tim Smith in Sunday’s (3/8) Baltimore Sun. “But the mood is mixed among the musicians. They are expressing frustration with the number of open positions, increased workload and what they perceive to be artistic weak spots—as well as longstanding dissatisfaction over annual base pay, currently $71,214. They are using an outside public relations firm to help them make their case … 18 months before the contract is to expire.” BSO President and CEO Paul Meecham “said that raising these issues would be more appropriate closer to negotiations for a new contract; the current one ends in September 2016. ‘We’re going to use the centennial season to increase the visibility of the orchestra and get more people to come and to ensure an artistically vibrant orchestra.’ … ‘There is no rift between musicians and management and the board. We are on the same page. But we are alarmed that the number of [full-time musicians] has gotten so low …’ ” said violinist Greg Mulligan, co-chair of the players’ committee.
Posted March 10, 2015
