Date:
Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 11:42 PM
Comments:
Excellent work ! We wish you the best!
Sara
http://www.GigOmania.com
Date:
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 01:56 PM
Comments:
Alan Hopper may be a fine person and alot of fun to sit down with and toss back a few beers, however this recent episode shows that his usefulness as an ED for the JSO is at an end.
The ED, while being on staff, is also supposed to advise, educate and lead the Board. Someone with Hopper's experience, as a musician and as manager, should have know better than to embark on the course of action which has just concluded. One of two things occurred, either Hopper was complicit in the Board's decision to lockout the musicians or he advised them against it and they ignored his advice. Either scenario is justification for his departure. He either provided bad advice to the Board or provided proper council which the Board ignored due to their apparent lack of respect for his judgement and leadership. In either case that is reason for a change.
Hopefully his successor will be strong enough to educate the Board as to their role in the organization, stand up to the Board when they stray down the wrong path and motivate the Board and community to support the JSO to the highest level which they are capable. Happy hunting and choose carefully.
Date:
Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 07:31 PM
Comments:
im sorry, Alan made 160K year, he was not innocent
here, and I'm a bit curious who said something bad
publically about him?
Date:
Friday, February 15, 2008 - 04:42 PM
Name:
Somebody who knows...
Comments:
Alan Hopper's departure will probably be met with some cheers by some who have contributed to this message board during the labor crisis. Many derided him as a "villian" in this story, but the executive director of a symphony orchestra is only the messenger of the Board of Directors. He is an employee like the music director, the staff, and musicians. The power brokers behind the scenes of this sorry tale will continue to be members of the board long after we change Executive Directors.
Alan Hopper is a great guy, a decent man, and certainly did not deserve the jeers he received for the last year. It's notable that he probably knew that this labor crisis would result in his ouster, or him leaving on his own accord, and yet he stayed through it to at least see a conclusion. He will be happier not having to deal the continuing fallout in Jacksonville. The man has been a musician and involved with the music business his entire life, and yet he is considering giving it all up after this.
It's hard enough to attract good managerial talent to the non-profit world of music and the arts. If we continue to treat each other with such disrespect as was exhibited by both sides in the latest crisis, we will continue to burn out and tear through the "good ones." And where does that leave us?
Date:
Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 05:16 PM
Name:
symphony subscriber
Comments:
I just read the TU article that Alan Hopper was leaving as Executive Director of the JSO. I was taken aback by the news. I don't know any of the inside information, but he seemed to be well respected by musicians throughout the State. I sincerely hope that this is not a continuation of poor decisions by the Association.
Date:
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 - 10:26 PM
Comments:
So very glad you are back on stage!! I appreciate all of you!!
Date:
Friday, February 1, 2008 - 12:47 PM
Name:
Mr. & Mrs. George A Brown II
Comments:
We just wanted to let the musicians know how much we enjoyed the Masterworks concert last night. It's good to have you back in the Jacoby.
We truly appreciate all the concerts you did in the interim, as well as the efforts of Andy Johnson and the Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony.
Date:
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 08:43 PM
Comments:
Does the JSO have an assistant conductor? I know Mr. Butterman left, but this Cooper guy was a real pleasure to watch and to listen to. He explained Mozart like I have never heard...AND is a composer (enjoyed the kiddie show too). I think the JSO should go out and hire this guy as the assistant conductor!!
BRAVO!!
Date:
Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 03:57 PM
Comments:
Please accept my apologies for creating a new name for Mr. Cooper, the fabulous conductor of this weekend's concerts! By any name, his "rose" smells as sweet (to mangle Shakespeare). The orchestra's performance is not one I will forget for a long time, if ever.
Date:
Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 05:41 PM
Comments:
The All Mozart Concert last night with Peter Wright's elegant performance of the Clarinet Concerto was one of the outstanding concerts of this season. I loved the conductor, Mr. Gordon, and hope we will see him, again, as he seemed to interact so well with the musicians, and showed such encouragement towards their playing during the performance. The audience was especially enthusiastic, and that showed how brilliant the spirit was in the auditorium. More, more, more!
Date:
Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 10:43 AM
Name:
Judy and Dave Steinmeyer
Comments:
Congratulations! We are so happy that things have been resolved and that the JSO is performing again. Best wishes for a prosperous year.
Judy and Dave Steinmeyer
Date:
Monday, January 21, 2008 - 08:18 AM
Comments:
As a JSO family member, I would like to thank Andy Johnson for his time spent to support the musicians for the JSO with his radiothon.Thank you also,to the "Friends of the Symphony". It is people like this,who have such dedication to our cultural community,that make it work. This dedication and passion,is what it takes to have a successful cultural organization.
Date:
Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 11:37 PM
Comments:
I am assistant principal cello of the Rochester Philharmonic and am so happy you are all back to work. I hope the city follows through with a newly inspired level of support. and I hope your board and administration give some heavy thought to their role in this whole scene. They need to put up or get out. Sounds like there are many folks who are ready to step forward with real vision. I hope so.
Date:
Friday, January 18, 2008 - 12:23 PM
Name:
Looking forward to tonight!!
Comments:
I am thrilled the musicians are back. I will be in "my seat" in Jacoby tonight for the concert.
Regarding the coverage by the Times-Union (or the lack there of), you must remember, until the end of 2007, the publisher was a Board Member and member of the Executive Committee. It was only after his retirment that a more balanced coverage began to appear in the paper. I am greatful that the paper finally came around to shed the light on this issue, but I did find it interesting that the first FRONT PAGE coverage came as Mr. Cannon retired.
WELCOME BACK MUSICIANS!!!!!
Date:
Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 12:56 PM
Comments:
I disagree with the comments about the role the Times-Union played. They were slow in responding to the "other" side of the story, the musician's side, but the provided through the Editorial page a chance for very strong letters on behalf of the musicians, and countering the absurd claims of management. These letters helped to build public support and questioning of the Board's actions, and I believe that the musicians won the PR war, as it were.
Also, the fact that the T-U published charts on the front page and gave some "balanced" coverage of the conflict was helpful in letting people know what some of the "facts" were, which had not been clear, and still isn't in many ways. But, the newspaper did this very important service, and although we might wish for more advocacy on their part, I believe they did provide an importtant forum for getting the story out, and handling it in a dignified way.
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 11:59 PM
Comments:
Congratulations on reaching an agreement!!! I know it has been a tough time for everyone, and thanks for staying strong through it all. I hope that both sides can eventually mend any negative feelings and function as one group again. The good thing, though, is that now the musicians have their jobs back and will once again be performing music in Jacoby Hall!
Best Wishes,
Andy Chopra
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 05:14 PM
Comments:
Congratulations! on the new contract and on sticking to your principals! Can't wait to hear you all this weekend.
Warmest regards,
Michelle
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 04:34 PM
Comments:
HALLELUIAH!!!! I'm so happy for resolution! I hope it was fair and balanced! Im just excited that the music will be BACK!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 04:18 PM
Comments:
Truly glad we will have our music (and the ones that greatly perform our music) back at Jacoby Hall.
Now is up to us, the patrons, not only to continue supporting our JSO by attending and promoting the concerts and series, but also to require from the Association and management to do their job in marketing the orchestra, raise the needed (and promised) funds to run it, and most of all make mends with all the ones hurt (not only financially) to ensure the growth of this great cultural tool, for the benefit of the ones enjoying it today as well as the generations to come.
To the great musicians of the JSO: our outmost respect!
THE MUSIC IS STILL ALIVE!
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 04:12 PM
Name:
Symphoony Supporter
Comments:
Congratulations to Jacksonville Symphony Players! We hope the Jacksonville Symphony Board was fair to you and realize how important you mean to the community of Jacksonville.
We look forward to enjoying the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in Jacoby Hall.
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 03:53 PM
Comments:
This just in the Florida Times Union web page! Symphony back in business. Great News. Congratulations to all. NOw let's see if the Board will get serious about raising money.
By ROGER BULL
The Times-Union
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is back in business.
The symphony’s musicians ratified a new five-year contract Wednesday afternoon, ending a lockout that began more than two months ago and forced the cancellation of 22 performances.
The musicians will be back in rehearsal Thursday, preparing for this weekend’s three performances of Judy Garland & The Golden Era.
Though the musicians have played several benefit concerts on their own, Thursday will be the first time they’ve been together as the symphony since management declared a lockout Nov. 12 after negotiations on a new contract reached an impasse.
The musicians’ negotiating committee and management met Tuesday for the first time in more than three weeks. A little before midnight, they reached agreement on a new contract. But that wasn’t official until was approved by the full symphony.
The musicians gathered at noon at the union office off Beach Boulevard, but had to wait more than an hour before management delivered boxes of the finalized contracts. After about an hour of discussion, they voted on secret ballot. The ballots were counted, and the contract was ratified.
Kevin Casseday, bassist and spokesman for the musicians, said the union would not reveal the vote, but a simple majority of the 52 full-time and 15 part-time musicians was required.
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 03:40 PM
Comments:
THIS JUST IN FROM FLA. TIMES UNION!!!
Yes!!! Now the Board must start seriously raising funds to honor their end. Congratulations!!
By ROGER BULL
The Times-Union
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is back in business.
The symphony’s musicians ratified a new five-year contract Wednesday afternoon, ending a lockout that began more than two months ago and forced the cancellation of 22 performances.
The musicians will be back in rehearsal Thursday, preparing for this weekend’s three performances of Judy Garland & The Golden Era.
Though the musicians have played several benefit concerts on their own, Thursday will be the first time they’ve been together as the symphony since management declared a lockout Nov. 12 after negotiations on a new contract reached an impasse.
The musicians’ negotiating committee and management met Tuesday for the first time in more than three weeks. A little before midnight, they reached agreement on a new contract. But that wasn’t official until was approved by the full symphony.
The musicians gathered at noon at the union office off Beach Boulevard, but had to wait more than an hour before management delivered boxes of the finalized contracts. After about an hour of discussion, they voted on secret ballot. The ballots were counted, and the contract was ratified.
Kevin Casseday, bassist and spokesman for the musicians, said the union would not reveal the vote, but a simple majority of the 52 full-time and 15 part-time musicians was required.
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 12:10 PM
Name:
Supporter of the Musicians
Comments:
I am thrilled to read in the "Just In" section of www.jacksonville.com that a tentative deal has been reached. I agree that once the orchestra is back on stage and providing the beautiful music once again, we must continue to discussion about the mismanagement by the Board and seek positive ways to correct this for the future.
If the deal is ratified by the musicians, I will be the first one in line on Friday night waiting to take my seat in Jacoby Hall to hear our beloved musicians!!!!
Date:
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 11:06 AM
Name:
symphony subscriber
Comments:
I agree with several commenters that the way this whole situation has been handled by the Symphony Board has been deplorable. The Times Union coverage of the issue has also been disappointing.
In my mind, the only bright spots have been the musicians, who have been extremely gracious and publicly thankful for our support at their concerts, and the formation of the Friends of Jacksonville Symphony.
Another bright spot is on the horizon, though. The Times Union is reporting that a tentative deal has been struck. The musicians are expected to vote on it at noon.
I hope the Symphony Board rhetoric, and their unfortunate decision to lock out the musicians will soon be at an end.
It is my hope that those who truly love the symphony and the musicians will not move on and forget the actions taken by the Board. Change in that body, and their governance, is absolutely necessary, if we are to avoid another situation like this in the future. The conversation to rectify their behavior must continue.
Date:
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 11:20 PM
Comments:
Monday night's concert was lovely and we look forward to hearing you at Jacoby Hall again soon. You have our financial support and prayers.