Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 11:06 AM

symphony subscriber

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.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 11:20 PM

Musicians' friends

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.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 01:07 PM

Jacksonville Resident and Symphony ticket holder

I am totally disgusted with the indifference shown by the mayor Mr. Peyton and the city council toward the ongoing dispute at the JSO. It is unbelievable that in a city as provincial as Jacksonville we are 66 days without this resolved. Why such negligence by the city leaders?

I am appalled that Mr. Van Vleck can do as he pleases with the Jacksonville Symphony and can unilaterally shut down the musicians and the Jacksonville community from the music we love. Who does Mr. Van Vleck report to? Doesn't he have any accountability?

Mr.Van Vleck should resign immediately and let someone more capable resolve this dispute.

Where is the Times-Union in this issue? Why haven't they been leading the fight to get the JSO back at Jacobi Hall? So far they have played a very mild and timid role printing only sporadic news on the dispute. Taking an active role and printing the outrage of people on their front page would get the attention of the community and would force the leaders to take action.

Finally, I support the musicians and feel their sorrow and frustration in this ordeal. The people are with the musicians and demand a quick and lasting resolution to this conflict.

Sincerely,
Moe

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 12:50 AM

Andy Zaplaynsky

My best wishes and hopes that the scheduled talks will be productive. I know that this must be a nightmare for the musicians. I know, I've been there.

Monday, January 14, 2008 - 11:20 AM

Katrinka Walter

January 4, 2008

Letters to the Editor Beaches Leader

God must be weeping! I know I am.

Our magnificent Jacksonville Symphony is about to be sacrificed for lack of a mere $65,000. This borders on the criminal.

As I understand it, the Board wants the musicians to cave in to the lockout. Their plan is to hire new, inexperienced part-time musicians at half the salary. This will take the symphony backwards 40 years. Some players have already left. The Symphony Board should lower their heads in shame and then resign their privileged positions!

During the period of the “lockout,” our Symphony musicians have been performing all around the city - for free - just to keep themselves in tune and in touch with those of us who love and appreciate them. They were privileged to have one of the best pianists in the world - 2007 Kennedy Award recipient Leon Fleisher-- conduct them in some of the best music ever written, including Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. It was nothing short of superlative! As Fleisher said following their performance: “Who says the Jaguars are the only ones who play as a team.” This was one week before Fleisher was shown on national TV at the Kennedy Center honors! If he can come to Jacksonville to support the JSO, why can’t the citizens of Jacksonville follow his lead?

I’d like to make some suggestions:

1. Fire the current Board (they don’t deserve the honor) and recruit people who love music and appreciate our superlative Symphony which has been developed over the past 40 years. And... who are not afraid to ask for support from some of the wealthiest people who live in Jacksonville!

2. Ask each of the top Jaguars players to become involved - to the “tune” of say...$100,000 each to build the endowment. The Jags are among our best citizens, and I’m sure they understand the importance not only of sports, but of music. HAS ANYONE ASKED THEM TO BECOME INVOLVED? (I can just see a TV commercial with Fred Taylor conducting the JSO!) What fun that would be!

There are many ways to raise money for the Symphony. The first step is to realize that a city the size of Jacksonville deserves fine music as well as great football!

It would be a tragedy to allow the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra to dissolve. God speaks to us through these wonderful musicians. WAKE UP Jacksonville and hear them!

Sincerely,

Katrinka Walter

Cc: The Hon. John Peyton, Mayor of Jacksonville

Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 06:12 PM

Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony

Support Our Symphony!

The Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony invite you to support our musicians and orchestra by giving to any of the following:

Donations to JSPA are important to benefit our musicians during the lockout. We urge you to contact JSPA directly by visiting the "donations" portion of this website.

Donations to JSA benefit the orchestra generally and are essential to its survival. We encourage donors to continue your support of JSO as soon as the present impasse is resolved and to increase your support if that is feasible for you.

Donations to Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony support our purpose: to assist the JSPA and JSA in resolving their impasse, to aid musicians, to support and strengthen the JSO by providing enhanced compensation and benefits to its musicians, and to benefit the community by helping our orchestra survive and thrive. Where lack of funding is preventing the impasse from being resolved, we hope to facilitate an early resolution by providing increased funding. Both the JSA and musicians are aware of our existence and fundraising efforts.

Donations to FOJS may be mailed to:

Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony Fund
The Community Foundation
121 West Forsyth Street
Suite 900
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

For more information, please contact us at fojs@comcast.net

Jean Coker, Carolyn Zisser, Earl M. Barker, Jr., Edith Moore-Hubert, Kevin Chase
Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony

Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 02:10 PM

Alex Weinsztok

Dear musicians, our support to you is as strong as ever. Keep your spirits high as we all hope for a prompt resolution.
Also, it may be a good idea for the negotiating committee to share any news and developments with your supporters. The lack of information is not good.
Look forward to Monday's concert.

Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 07:12 AM

Camille Clement Gregg

Just wanted to pop on and let you all know how much concern is in the community for the musicians and that many are awakeneing to see the severity of not having an orchestra in our city, Keep the Faith! I feel hopeful!!

Friday, January 11, 2008 - 08:41 PM

Symphony Subscriber Too

Glad to see your blog back up. We're still praying and hoping that a settlement will be reached soon. Our best to all parties involved. Jacksonville, your support is requested. Remember,This Is Your Music. Prove it. Please support the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Association.

Friday, January 4, 2008 - 10:46 AM

David Avery

If the Jaguars are comfortable with raising ticket prices, why can’t the JSO Board do the same? More than one “fix” is needed to get the deficient taken care of. I seriously doubt that patrons would object to a $2 to $5 per ticket increase. Think about how much additional revenue that would contribute towards reducing each year's deficit. In addition to the increase in ticket prices, the Board should seriously consider a reduction in the salaries of the conductor and CEO. The salaries are embarassingly high for a "lower tier" orchestra that our Board claims we have.


“The Jaguars are expected to announce today that they will raise prices from $2 to $8 per ticket for the 2008 season, but their tickets will remain among the least expensive in the NFL.
The cheapest price will be $39, a $3 increase from $36 last year, or $390 for a 10-game season ticket. They'll also have non-club seats priced at $44, $48, $58, $66, $84 and $98.”

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 10:58 PM

Symphony subscriber

Confused,

I share your gratitude for Friends of the Symphony and their efforts to save the Symphony and its musicians. It's a sad day when a group of grassroots folks has to step in and do the jobs of the Executive Director, development staff, and the Board and Symphony Association - but I am certainly glad that they did.

Throughout the lockout and the discussion of the musicians' salaries and benefits, I have considered what I thought their artistry and talent might be worth - because those are two components that are equally if not more important than the time they spend performing.

In considering that, I was reminded of my art classes with Mun Quan, a renowned water colorist, who was artist in residence at JU in the 70s. I would watch Professor Quan stand before our class and paint a watercolor in 15-20 minutes in order to demonstrate the appropriate technique. We would then attempt to do the same painting following his example.

When I went to one of his art shows, I saw the watercolor he had done in our class, and it was for sale for thousands of dollars. My painting - well I probably would have had to pay my parents money to even get them to take it.

It took me the same amount of time to do my painting as it did Professor Quan and my painting looked alot like his to the untrained eye. So, why could he get thousands of dollars for his, and I would have to pay someone to take mine? The simple answer is skill, talent, and years and years of practice and hard work. Professor Quan had it; I did not.

And so it is with our symphony musicians. They are amazingly talented folks and well-respected as a high performing orchestra and should be paid accordingly. Without them, acclaimed music directors, like Fabio, would not even give our City a second look.

We, as a community, need to step up to the plate to ensure we continue to have the best symphony - with high quality musicians that are paid in accordance with their skill and talent, and I for one am going to do everything I can to ensure that happens. I challenge each of you to do the same.

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 04:46 PM

margaret koscielny

For Board Members who may be reading this, and for the encouragement of musicians, if you have a copy of the Book, "FIfty Years of Great Music, "a commemorative account of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, please read the Reminiscences of Ira Koger, Past President of the Board who pulled the Symphony together after it's disastrous year of 1969-70, who mobilized the forces of the community and brought the organization back to life.

It was his imaginative approach which is so so enlightening, to this day, and one wonders why this Board hasn't tried some of his "tricks" to get people involved. If this city had a few Ira Kogers, now, then we wouldn't be in the fix we are in.

In looking through the book, I discovered a picture of my mother, Ida Milner Hooten, violinist, seated next to George Orner, one of the founders of the Orchestra as director of various incarnations which led to the present organization, as well as both my mother and father, John Peter Koscielny, Principal Viola, seated in the first Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in 1950. My sister, Anne Koscielny, performed as a teenager, and twice, as an adult, with the orchestra, as Piano soloist. (I even played, as a teenager, in the second violin section of the Youth Symphony under the direction of Henry Cornely.) This is the history I have in my veins, plus the memory of the joy my mother felt when she could say, "At Last! An Auditorium for the Symphony! I thought I would die without ever seeing it!"

The history of music in Jacksonville has shown such a struggle throughout the last century and now, into this one. But, always, persistent people's efforts and work, sometimes,out of sight, the faith of musicians and music lovers who cared enough to continue the struggle made it possible to reach excellence and national recognition. How much has been achieved since the 1920's! I weep every time I think that the present leadership would allow that to die. To let it all go because of abuse of power and insensitivity to the needs of musicians and their families, plus disdain for unions, in general, seems an assault on history and the generations who made our present fine orchestra possible. We must respect the past! We must respect our Professional Musicians! They are the lifeblood of this community!

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 12:25 PM

Professional Musician & Educator

The Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 front page story on the symphony was very revealing in showing that the CEO & conductor make the administration costs of the JSO very top-heavy indeed. The CEO here makes more than any of the conductors of the other three orchestras that were analyzed & compared. The conductor makes over $30,000 more than the next highest paid conductor listed in this comparative chart. These administrator & conductor salaries make the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra the most financially out of balance of all the orchestras mentioned. This would seem to be a major factor in the financial crisis being faced, and should also be considered in solving the financial problems.
It was suggested in a letter to the editor, which was published Wednesday, January 02, 2008 “The deficit can be dealt with in the short term by some concessions by the musicians and their union advisers.” What about some salary concessions from the conductor & CEO? Why should the sacrifices be so one-sided? The orchestra is truly “worthy of community support”, and certainly that support is not contingent upon the orchestra members alone putting the organization on a “financially sound basis”.

Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 12:12 PM

Formerly silent musician

Mr. Davis wrote in his letter to the editor,” The deficit can be dealt with in the short term by some concessions by the musicians and their union advisers."
Isn't that what this debate has always been about? It's been on the musicians' shoulders all along to make the sacrifices. Yes, "we can argue all day about HOW to balance that budget"...but it seems that the Board & its representatives see the only acceptable solution is for the musicians to accept all the cutbacks. Mr. Davis continues in his letter with the statement,” With that being done, the parties [does he mean the board & the musicians or just the board?] can work together toward a solution that keeps the orchestra in business on a financially sound basis and worthy of community support." I contend that it isn't so clear that he was referring to the symphony board being worthy of community support. It's the orchestra (the musicians) who are worthy, whether the business is financially sound or not. This has been made clear by so many who have voiced their support on this web site & in other ways. Now this community of supporters has organized as Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony…thank you friends!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 06:42 PM

in need of support

Thank you musician opus sad, and thank you all who have voiced your support, and thank you especially Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony, I am amazed and touched by your dedication and commitment to the orchestra. I truly hope that we can go back to playing again soon.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 05:39 PM

MUSICIAN SUPPORTER

As Mr.Weinsztok suggested, it is the musicians that know what they can accept and not accept through the negotiations.They are the ones that truely know the ins and outs of the terms. I am sure that they are thankful for the community for all their support. It is wonderful to know that the musicians are appreciated by most.It has been a long financial hard road for them, especially those with families to support, and now without health insurance, it is another added burden. I am very upset by that fact. if. I ask of the community, to please keep supporting the orchestra, as they cannot do it without you. There will no performance without an audience!I also ask of the board, to please, show the musicians and the community that you are currently marketing the orchestra day to day, year round fund raising and are agressive in doing so. Then and only then will the community be able to save this orchestra.It is the board who is our leader..please lead.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 04:24 PM

Alex Weinsztok

Dear Musician Opus sad:

You have just stated what quite a few of us, the audience, Symphony attendees, donors, musician supporters, etc. have been thinking for a while.

You, the JSO musicians are the ones that have the ultimate word on what to do and how to do it.
All of us, the ones writing on this blog, have had a tendency to take very extreme positions (including myself) based sometimes on having only partial information of facts, incited by hot heads, a bit of Holiday frustration, and yes, in some cases trying to defend a friend or attack a foe.

I don't think this is what this blog was created for. If we read the first series of comments (almost two months old now) they were primarily showing our support to our beloved musicians at a time where they needed the most.

This blog has gotten out of hands. Enough is enough. We should let you, the musicians and your designated contract negotiatiors at the table, do your job.

You know you have all of our support and we will continue doing what is needed to help you obtain fair and reasonable working salaries and conditions.

Let's hope cooler heads prevail on both sides, that a fair resolution could be found soon, and that we can all enjoy your beautiful sounds at Jacoby Hall in the coming weeks.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 04:14 PM

Thankful

Thank you, Musician Opus sad! It could have not been stated any better than that!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 03:58 PM

Musician Opus sad

Gandi once said that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. I am a musician with the JSO. While I am frustrated, upset, slighted, and angry about the last six weeks, I also see that it is time to move forward. No one person, or side, can shoulder all the blame. Many fingers have been pionted at the Board but we the musicians must shoulder some of this as well. Let's let bygones be bygones and let's get back to making music. Could we make more money? Yes. Could it be worse? Yes. If anything positive has come out of all of this - it is that all involved are a little wiser and informed and maybe this had to happen for the organization to evolve. Whatever the reason let's remember that we are not a labor union and we are not a website, but we are a group of highly trained artists with a passion to express ourselves through music.. Let's go back to focusing on what we do best - Making music. What we do matters. We know it, and so do so many other people. Enough is enough. No Beames and VanVleck shouldn't have said some very regretable statetements. Of course, we all know that if the media got a hold of some of the things that have been said on our private e mail correspondence it would have looked just as bad, if not worse! The point is - let's be adults and move on. This is still very much salvageable. In fact I think in the end we will all be better off for it. I just hope that we will see all of you bloggers, and JSPA supporters at future concerts, and bring your friends!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 02:56 PM

Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony

Dear Friends of the Symphony,

Many of us have been distressed over the past several weeks by the impasse in negotiations between management and the musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and the absence of our orchestra during the holiday season, including The Nutcracker Ballet. Since November 12, Jacoby Symphony Hall has been silent.

Articles in the December 30, 2007 Sunday edition of the Florida Times-Union give much of the history and details. Talk of substantial deficits in the Symphony’s operating budget gives us grave concern. Nevertheless, we are also passionately committed to satisfying the reasonable financial needs of our musicians so that they can devote their energies to making the most beautiful music imaginable in Jacksonville.

The response of our community to the benefit concerts performed by our orchestra players over the holiday season has been overwhelmingly positive. We want this support of our musicians and symphony community to grow stronger.

In order to help Keep the Music Alive, we have formed the Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony to support the orchestra’s continued existence and excellence primarily by developing untapped resources. We hope our efforts will help resolve the impasse and assist in rebuilding good will. It is our goal that this initiative benefit the musicians of the orchestra.

The initial core of the Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony consists of audience members, educators, attorneys, community musicians and business leaders, all volunteers who share a love of our orchestra and the organization which has made the Jacksonville Symphony possible for over fifty years.

For all these reasons, we have created a fund at The Community Foundation called “Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony.”

We are asking for donations - by check or credit card - and pledges to continue your support for the next four years, if you are able to do so. If you wish to fulfill your donation or grant by a gift of stock, that is also possible. Every donation, large or small, is tax deductible and very much appreciated.

Checks made payable to “The Community Foundation“ should be mailed to:

Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony Fund
The Community Foundation
121 West Forsyth Street
Suite 900
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

If you wish to also add a personal note for the musicians and the orchestra, we will forward your comments to them.

We will report to all fund donors at least annually. Jean Coker, Carolyn Zisser, and Earl M. Barker, Jr. have agreed to be the initial donor advisors for the FOJS fund.

We believe that all of us who fill the seats at Jacoby Hall, who enjoy the orchestra’s community outreach programs in public schools, nursing homes and neighboring cities, who hire orchestra musicians to bring music to our weddings, services and special celebrations, or trust them to teach our children, will rally to support an artistically and fiscally strong orchestra.

Jacksonville cannot afford to lose our Symphony Orchestra or any of its musicians! Many of the players have been a part of our community for over twenty-five years. Before we lose any more of our concert season, let’s be part of the solution. With the combined financial strength of hundreds of symphony supporters, we can show our appreciation to the musicians so they CAN keep the music alive.

If you have any questions, please contact us at fojs@comcast.net.

Thank you.

The Friends of the Jacksonville Symphony:
Jean Coker, Carolyn Zisser, Earl M. Barker, Jr.,
Edith Moore-Hubert, Kevin Chase

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 02:30 PM

Harold Van Schaik

For "FYI"

In response to your comments re: The Florida Orchestra, the situations between our two organizations couldn't be more different. (as TFO's orchestra committee chair, I'm speaking from a very inside perspective)

The reason for TFO's recent(and chronic) financial issues are rooted in a single word, venue. We do not have a hall to call our own and as a result are in a constant struggle to book performance and rehearsal dates at our three primary venues. Inconsistent concert dates have caused an ongoing loss of season subscriptions, the life blood of any orchestra. This situation is further compounded by the venue's need to book programming of their own to balance their institutional bottom lines. As a result TFO is pushed out of performance dates causing our ever eroding season length.

The JSO has their own venue (and a rather fine one at that) and so the situations are "apples and oranges". As for the "govt money" issue, in the US(and especially Florida) govt support of the arts is at such a fractional level of most operational budgets that a 50% or greater reduction in govt funds is of negligible consequence to the financial picture. For any blame to be leveled for this situation on the loss of govt funds is a convenient fig leaf covering the real issue.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 01:04 PM

Henson Markham

Drew McManus website is:
www.adaptistration.com

Wednesday, January 2, 2008 - 12:08 PM

A Friend of the Musicians

Below is a reader's comment to an article on Drew McManus's Adaptistration blog on orchestra management (6th highest ranked classical music blog in the U.S.), followed by a comment on the comment by Drew McManus himself.

"This reply by Mr. Beames makes it hard to believe he could ever take place in a LockOut of the musicians he claims to support and have such a deep love, admiration, and respect for. Perhaps he should direct prose of this quality to the Board arguing for an enhanced vision of the orchestra, not the diminished one the current Board is imposing on the community at large and the orchestra in particular."

~I think that point is one which will come back to the bargaining table assuming the JSA will acknowledge Mr. Beames' letter during negotiation sessions. It also comes back to the situation from a public relations perspective; for example, is the decision to lock the musicians out and cancel health care coverage some form of tough love? If the JSA board adopts that position, they may inadvertently end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater and Jacksonville might be the latest addition to major Florida cities without a symphonic orchestra. That's hardly a noble accomplishment for anyone professing the sentiments in Mr. Beames' letter.~ Drew McManus

Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - 03:46 PM

Eleanor H. King

This maybe simplistic but I have praying for wisdom from on high to come into peaceable negoiations and a fair, successful contract. The answer to prayer was not exactly what I expectd for it was Mr. Beames mean-spirited, careless letter that brought about the constructive formation of the "Friends." The determination and action by symphony supporters to promote a resumed season of concerts is the best hoope for forcing a settlement and soon. Both parties should appreciate the purpose of the organization tht cherishes the orchestra and the players who are its glory. I served on the first Board of the JSO and I undersatand the business it takes produce a symphony amd I am proud of the quality product the cultural life of Jacksonville now has. Mr. Fleisher reminded us in the wors of JFK"the greatness of a civilization is refleted inits music." Charge!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - 03:38 PM

Outside Looking In

Though moral support is always welcome by most, the root issue regarding the contract negotiations lies in that it requires a monetary solution. So, if anyone truly wants to help, DONATE so the Association might have the necessary funds available to pay the desired musician salaries and benefits rather than just offering your "well thought out" or penned opinion. That's the real need and solution!

Believe me, the management and the Board are passionate about the institution. Why else do you think they're there? They certainly didn't choose a job in the non-pfoti world because its a highly compensated industry. They do it because they believe in the institution, they love the product and what it represents. Their message here is that they're trying to save the future of the institution. And the message of the musicians is that they want the institution to continue. They want a job where they can use their talents and share their love and devotion to and for the product. So, rather than screaming and yelling back and forth at each other and pointing fingers at who's to blame; why don't you step forward and work with them rather than against them? Support the music, the institution, and ALL the people within it who are doing the best with what they've been given with which to work. And, if you've given in the past, that's great, but face it, that doesn't help in the here and now. It's where we are today that matters. And currently, unfortunately, the funds aren't there. And we can say it's because management and/or the Board haven't done their job in fundraising, but what it truly comes down to is that the community as a whole hasn't done its job in supporting this fine organization. But, each one of you can help to change that by donating as much as possible even if you're only capable of giving a "widow's mite." Every little bit helps. Each $1 is as important as each $1000 donation. That's what we're all fighting for here, the institution of symphonic music in Jacksonville. Help do what you can to make it happen. Be a part of the solution. It's your responsibility to help make a difference. It's a New Year. What a perfect time to start!