“The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is growing,” writes Bo Emerson in Thursday’s (10/27) Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “An ensemble that had shrunk from 95 to 77 players … is getting bigger, thanks to a successful $25 million fundraising campaign dedicated to endowing permanent new positions. On Thursday, almost two years ahead of schedule, the ASO announced the completion of the campaign, which was capped off by a $2.5 million gift from the Delta Air Lines Foundation. ‘Nobody expected for this to happen so quickly,’ said Jennifer Barlament, executive director of the ASO…. Daniel Laufer, president of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players Association and associate principal cellist, said, ‘It’s fantastic news.’ [In 2014, musicians and management] reached an agreement that the orchestra would expand to 88 positions, with 11 new positions to be underwritten by a new fund drive … and … in place by the end of the four-year contract…. The ASO has recruited six new players, has added three more to replace musicians who have retired or passed away…. [Said Barlament], “We’re looking to have all but one position filled by end of this season.’ The final hire would hopefully be in place by the beginning of the 2017-18 season.”
Posted October 28, 2016
