...but the music has been saved

The Columbus Symphony announced yesterday that the Musicians and management have come to an agreement over the labor dispute.

Columbus Dispatch Article

The Musicians have taken "painful" cuts, but the music has been saved--as well as maintaining 53 full-time musicians. Now the only question is what the true cost of the cuts will be, and what impact they will have on the future and quality of the orchestra.

Briefly, the results of the agreement include:

> A roughly 25% pay cut
> A reduced season (from 46 to 38 weeks)
> Some performances will be held in Vets Memorial as opposed to the Ohio Theatre

...but the music has been saved.

Can we really save the music?

To all Proud Supporters of OUR Columbus Symphony Orchestra,

Please read this:

> Cleveland Plain Dealer: "Columbus Symphony is on the brink: can Central Ohio save the music?" (7/28)

Donald Rosenberg asks Central Ohioans whether or not we can save the music? I think that Mr. Rosenberg has said it. Save the MUSIC. It is about the art. Lately many have been caught up in who/what did this/that. It is up to us as a proud, collective group to step up and show support for the MUSIC and OUR Orchestra this coming weekend for the final "Light Classics" summer pops concert featuring the well-loved Maestro Junichi Hirokami.

Also playing will be the Ohio State University Marching Band! A packed, enthusiastic audience would highly encourage and energize the Musicians and Maestro of OUR Columbus Symphony!!

Remember to come early for tailgating!! The theme of the evening is "Brats! Buckeyes! & Brahms!?"

Details can be found at www.symphonycolumbus.com and www.mcsconcerts.org

MANY NEW websites and articles!

As the summer continues to go on, there has been a change in the wind with the Musicians of the Columbus Symphony. The musicians have banded together to play concerts for their dedicated audiences during the summer...as many of you all know and have attended to show your support!! The musicians thank you for your ardent support and attendance.

This coming weekend is the final concert of the summer classics series.

Click here to sign up for news released directly from the CSO Musicians.

Amidst the multiple websites that have appeared and disappeared, here are the important ones to watch closely:

> Columbus Symphony Orchestra Committee official website
> Musicians of the Columbus Symphony Concerts page
> Symphony Columbus website
> Symphony Columbus blog page

Below is a fairly comprehensive list of summertime articles and updates:

> New York Times: "Columbus Symphony Cancels Part of Season" (7/26)
> AP News Flash: "Contact clashh puts fate of Ohio symphony in doubt" (7/26)
> The Other Paper: "Siciliani: Save CSO to protect my legacy" (7/24)
> Columbus Business First: "Symphony to fall silent in October, November" (7/24)
> Columbus Dispatch: "Maestro to lead concert as gift to community" (7/24)
> Columbus Dispatch: "Symphony cancels fall concerts" (7/2)
> Sticks and Drones: "Sticking it in the (buck)eye!...." (7/21)
> Columbus Local News: "Mozart's Bakery to feed symphony supporters" (7/21)
> Sticks and Drones: "Pull up the Roots" (7/16)
> Symphony Columbus Musicians post: "Withholding of Funding by Major Donors a Referendum" (7/19)
> Adaptistration: "Beadle? Pot? Kettle?" (7/16)
> Columbus Dispatch: "Musicians reject offer, dismissal of Hirokami" (7/15)
> Columbus Dispatch: "CSO musicians fill void wiht music, more concerts" (7/11)
> Cleveland Plain Dealer: "Columbus Symphony fights on" (7/8)
> 610 WTVN Christy Chatman: "Columbus Symphony, Management Look for Harmony" (7/7)
> Columbus Dispatch: "Musicians to hold own version of summer pops" (7/3)
> Adaptistration: "Knowing When to Quit" (6/23)
> The Wall Street Journal: "Goodbye Columbus Symphony" (6/19)
> Kenneth Woods "A View from the Podium": Columbus Symphony (6/16)

Saying goodbye to SymphonySTRONG

Email sent to the membership of the now-shutdown organization of SymphonySTRONG:

Following last night's SOLD OUT, Mozart Concert, Symphony Strong is joining with other groups working to support the effort to maintain and grow our symphony. The new organization will be called Symphony Columbus, and its website is www.symphonycolumbus.com. Symphony Columbus has a 501(c)3 Foundation that will be called "Save the Symphony." Your continued support is very important in the effort to maintain (in Columbus) the wonderful group of musicians who make up the orchestra. You can keep up to date on all the activities by going to www.symphonycolumbus.com.

CSO management may have cancelled the fall season, but we are going to have plenty of music for you to enjoy. The next major concert will be on Saturday, July 26th at Vets Memorial, and Maestro Alessandro Siciliani will conduct. Following this event, we will have a third Vets Memorial on August 2nd with Maestro Junichi Hirokami conducting and The Ohio State University Marching Band participating.

Looking ahead in August, we will have a unique performance in a unique venue. Musicians of the orchestra will perform for the first time in a wonderful, natural amphitheater - Ash Cave at Hocking Hills. This beautiful, natural wonder will be the backdrop for a concert on August 17th.

Complete details can be found on the website, along with some very interesting breaking news and comments from other supporters. Please bookmark or add www.symphonycolumbus.com to your favorites.

The old www.symphonystrong.com website will be taken down shortly.

Show your support with one of the Symphony Columbus tee shirts, available at the concerts

Best regards,
Jim Mitchell
___________________________________________________________

Many thanks to the volunteers of the SymphonySTRONG organization for their help and dedication!

Deliciously Mozart's!!

Musicians of the CSO concerts this week!!

The Musicians of the Columbus Symphony have created a concert series this summer and the details can be found on their NEW WEBSITE!

Of important note are the concerts this coming weekend--Friday and Saturday July 11 and 12.

Family Pops Concert: Dance, Dance, Dance!!

July 11 @ 7:30 pm
Coffman Amphitheater
Dublin Community Recreation Center, Dublin

The Musicians of the Columbus Symphony
John Deliman, conductor
Music TBA from the stage

Tickets (cash only) at the gate:
$10 for adults
$5 for children under 12
______________________________________

Light Classics Concert Series: Orchestra Spectacular!

July 12 @ 7:30 pm
Veterans Memorial Auditorium

The Musicians of the Columbus Symphony
Jaime Morales-Matos, Conductor
Music TBA onstage

Tickets:
$20 at the door
$20 online (+ $2 per ticket service charge)

All details can be found on the NEW MCS website!

News Updates

> Adaptistration Article: "Things that Make You Go 'Buh?' " (6/9)
> Abu Bratsche Article: "What's the opposite of 'accountability'?" (6/8)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Museum garden site for concerts" (6/8)
> Adaptistration Article: "Sticks and Drones: New at the Columbus Dispatch: First Date Announcements" (6/6)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Union: Board can't end contract" (6/6)

NEWS!

NEW, PREVIOUSLY UNLINKED CONTENT:

OSU The Lantern Article: "Campus group supports C-bus Symphony" (5/29)
WOSU Christopher Purdy radio clip: Kids with PASSION! Concert (5/26)

The list of recent news articles:

> "Non Divisi" Blog Article from Frank Almond (MS): "Columbus' Last Voyage?" (6/2)
> Columbus Dispatch photo collection of the Final CSO Concert (6/1)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Ending on uncertain note" (6/1)
> Columbus Dispatch: "Favorite son-in-law steps up for symphony" (5/29)
> WOSU Radio News clip: "GCAC Funding for Columbus Symphony 'Tabled'" (5/27)
> WOSU Radio News clip: "Columbus Symphony board and players hold more talks but gain little ground" (5/27)
> WKSU Radio Newsclip: "Building the classical music audience of the future" (5/28)
> WOSU Open Line Radio Program: "The Future of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra" (5/22)
> Adaptistration Article: "Why Do They Keep Opening Their Mouths" (5/27)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Symphony's Pain Hurts Others" (5/25)

Kids with PASSION Loud and Clear!

Please remember to kindly attend the event Kids with PASSION Loud and Clear this coming Sunday from 3-5:30pm. The venue is Capital University Mees Hall.

This concert is headed up by Annie Shmookler and is a fundraiser for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra!

Various children and teen musical groups from around the area will be performing to show their support of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

The SymphonySTRONG orange wristbands and the "PASSION" t-shirts will be on sale at the fundraiser.

CSO Musicians Press Conference

Here are the links to the CSO Musicians Press Conference on YouTube:

Part 1 Bruce Ridge, Chair of ICSOM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkeyGU6zmw

Part 2 Dan LaMacchia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgwdneP95z8

Part 3 CSO Chair James Akins and Doug Fisher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZUbWyjSj_A

Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfvbmrNQRT0

Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T65BoaD9R00

News Updates

News, video, and audio clip updates:

> Columbus Dispatch article: "Symphony musicians propose salary cut" (5/21)
> Columbus Dispatch article: "Symphony musicians offer to giv e up $500,000 in salaries" (5/20)
> Columbus Business First: "Symphony musicians propose 7% salary cut to save season" (5/20)
> WOSU News clip (audio & text): "Columbus Symphony musicians make budget proposal hoping to save Orchestra" (5/20)
> ABC 6 Newsvideo: "Save the Symphony" (5/20)

Columbus Symphony Musicians Announce Press Release

CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS

1585 BETHEL RD., SUITE 100-COLUMBUS, OHIO 43220-2010 – PHONE: (614) 457-6371 – FAX: 457-6372

Douglas J. Fisher LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.

President Chartered Jan. 1, 1900

Vaughn F. Wiester

Secretary-Treasurer

Michael Buccicone

Vice-President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2008

Columbus Symphony Musicians to Present Financial Plan and Make Offer to Resume Talks with the Board and Management

The Musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra invite the media to attend a press conference on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 1:30PM in the Olentangy and Buckeye Conference Room on the first floor of the Hilton Garden Inn located at 3232 Olentangy River Road in Columbus.

At that time Musician representatives will present and distribute copies of a new Financial Plan which will allow the orchestra to continue operations within the budget limitations established by the board and corporate leadership. The Musicians will also announce their willingness to resume talks with the board and management to discuss the new Financial Plan. Details will be announced at the press conference.

Also speaking will be Mr. Bruce Ridge, Chair of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM), an organization which represents the top 50 orchestras in the United States www.icsom.org who will provide a national perspective of the present situation and discuss the economic benefits of maintaining a high quality symphony orchestra in central Ohio.

Mr. Daniel LaMacchia, a certified financial planner with Wachovia Securities, will also present and distribute an independent report of the Orchestra’s recent financial history.

For further information please contact Douglas Fisher at 614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also, please visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official website of the CSO Musicians for additional information.

News updates

News updates below:

> New York Times article: "An Orchestra's Woes" (5/19)
> Minnesota Public Radio's classical music weblog: "A Tale of Two Orchestras" (5/18)
> Abu Bratsche article: "The answer to the problems of the orchestra industry" (5/18)
> Columbus Dispatch feature: "Preparation, providence lie behind opening note" (5/17)
> Columbus Dispatch article: "Waiting for an encore" (5/17)

Loss of funding

A sad article was printed today...

> Columbus Dispatch article: "Arts council plans to skip symphony" (5/16)

A LOT of updates!

There have been many, many articles and clips about the CSO recently. My apologies for not posting them sooner.

SymphonySTRONG
CSO Principal Clarinetist, David Thomas, runs a blog here with many, many interesting articles.

News Items:

> Columbus Dispatch article: "Public Efforts springing up to aid symphony" (5/15)
> Abu Bratsche article: "Why?" (5/15)
> Unscripted | The Charleston City Paper article: " **** the Board of Directors" (5/15) [Warning: Adult language contained in this article]
> Adaptistration article: "Columbus Around the Blogosphere" (5/15)
> Abu Bratsche article: "Symphonicide" (5/13)
> Columbus Dispatch Editorial: "'Stimulate' orchestra out of financial rut" (5/14)
> Adaptistration article: "Columbus' Smoking Gun" (5/13)
> The Cincinnati Enquirer article: "Columbus news troubles orchestra officials" (5/12)
> Adaptistration Article: "It's the Board, Stupid" (5/12)
> Columbus Dispatch Editorial: "Columbus Symphony can't survive unless musicians agree to live within its means" (5/11)
> New York Times Article: "Columbus Orchestra May Suspend Activities" (5/10)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Symphony musicians, board aren't giving up yet" (5/10)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Sales strong for season's end" (5/10)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "String Theory: Yo-Yo Ma..." (5/10)
> Adaptistration article: "Columbus Board Prepares To Throw In The Towel" (5/9)
> WOSU Radio: "Columbus Symphony suspends summer operations" (5/8)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Symphony will shut down for summer with future in doubt" (5/8)
> Official CSO Board press release announcing CSO shutdown effective June 1, 2008

Remember! May 5: Michael Davis Memorial Concert

Please remember to attend the Memorial Concert for longtime CSO concertmaster and friend of the Orchestra, Michael Davis.

The concert is being held in the Ohio State University School of Music Weigel Hall at 8pm tomorrow, Monday, May 5.

Feature by the Dispatch on a True Supporter of the CSO

Truly an inspiring person.

Columbus Dispatch Article: "Angel in the wings" (5/3)

News updates for this week

Here are the news articles and sound bytes for the past week or so!

> The Other Paper Article: "Playing for Posterity" (5/1)
> WOSU NPR News: "Despite Season Saving Gift, CSO & Musicians Far Apart" (4/29)
> WOSU "Arts Unscripted": Christopher Purdy and Barbara Zuck discuss the CSO (5/1)
> Adaptistration Article: "Columbus Season to Continue Unabated" (4/29)
> The OSU Lantern Article: "Cutbacks at Columbus Orchestra hurt OSU" (4/29)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Gift lets symphony finish season, but after that ..." (4/29)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Gift will keep symphony afloat" (4/28)
> Adaptistration Article: "Columbus Board Responds to Ratification Vote" (4/28)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Contract Rejection May Stop the Music" (4/26)
> WOSU Radio: "Musicians Reject CSO's "Final Offer"" (4/25)
> Columbus Dispatch Article: "Orchestra musicians reject contract offer" (4/25)

Statement of the Board and Management of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra

STATEMENT OF THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT

OF THE

COLUMBUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

APRIL, 28, 2008

Contact:

Robert “Buzz” Trafford 614/227-2149

Tony Beadle 614/221-4897

As a result of an extraordinary individual gift by a Board member the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (“CSO”) expects to have the financial resources necessary to complete it’s Classical and Pops seasons, the final performance of which will occur on May 31, 2008. Without this extraordinary individual gift, the CSO would have been forced to suspend operations on April 30, 2008.

By completing its May concerts, the CSO will fulfill its commitments to its loyal subscribers and to all who have purchased tickets to the Classical and Pops seasons.

We look forward to May as a celebration of the CSO and its music. The May concerts include four time Grammy Award winner Michael Feinstein on May 2, a string ensemble on May 7, a weekend series with Maestro Junichi Hirokami on May 10 and 11, the CSO’s Gala celebration with renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma on May 15, and the final performances of the season with Marvin Hamlisch on May 30 and 31. The CSO will perform a total of 7 concerts during May (schedule attached). Tickets remain available for all of these concerts.

The Board wants to stress that while the CSO believes it has the resources to complete its Classical and Pops seasons, the fundamental financial challenge facing the CSO has not in any way been solved. Rather, by continuing the season through May the CSO achieves the important goal of keeping our commitments to our subscribers and ticket purchasers, but defers to another day the inevitable suspension of operations due to a lack of funds. Whether that day comes at the conclusion of May or the end of August will be determined soon.

The Board’s decision follows an analysis of its current financial situation and reasonably anticipated ticket revenue and contributions during the month of May. The CSO is counting on those who support the CSO to purchase tickets to its May performances and to demonstrate their passion through their financial support.

The CSO enjoys generous support from this community, both corporate and individual. The CSO’s musicians give our community far too little credit for the support it provides. The CSO receives more support, by a wide margin, than any other performing arts organization and is in the top tier (if not first) in contributed revenue among all of Central Ohio’s cultural institutions.

It is clear from the experience of recent years that the level of support around which the CSO must build responsible budgets is $9.5 million. Indeed, for fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007, the CSO’ s revenues, exclusive of emergency, non-recurring funding and donated goods and services (“in-kind” contributions), were $9.4 million, $9.1 million and $9.1 million, respectively. Against this history, and in today’s economy, the Board does not believe it would be fiscally responsible to base a budget on assumed revenue of more than $9.5 mm. The fundamental disagreement between the union and the CSO is the union’s insistence that any new agreement be based on a revenue assumption significantly higher than $9.5 million.

There is substantial support among our donors for the CSO and for the strategic plan the Board announced in January. But, those who provide large portions of the CSO’s support have expressed considerable concern that the CSO will not able to achieve the cost reductions necessary to balance our budget in the next fiscal year. Our largest and most reliable supporters want a successful orchestra. They have in the past and are prepared in the future to provide substantial financial assistance. But, in return, they make a reasonable request – they insist upon an orchestra that lives within the means of support available from our community.

What is clear at this point is that absent a new labor agreement with the union that permits the CSO to operate within its available resources there can be no 2008-2009 season. Unless and until the CSO regains the confidence of those who stand ready to support it, there is no prospect of raising an endowment or taking other steps to strengthen the CSO and increase the compensation of its musicians.

The CSO is prepared to continue discussions with the union at any time for the purpose of trying to secure both the short and long term future of our community’s symphony orchestra.

THE Carpe Diem String Quartet

Charles Wetherbee, violin • Robert Firdman, violin • Korine Fujiwara, viola • Wendy Morton, cello