ASO, musicians in a stalemate (Boston: salary, pricing, health care)

[10 feet tall]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

ASO, musicians in a stalemate | www.ajc.com

I just wanted to know what you guys think about this.

I don't really know enough about the situation to comment. It seems really crummy to me that the managers of the symphony refuse to take any paycut. But then, it's also really hard for me to sympathize with musicians who make $130k a year with free health care, pensions, and 8 weeks of vacation.

Probably both sides are being unreasonable, but what do you think?

130K plus health benefits plus a pension plus 8 weeks vacation?!?!?!

WTF?

For playing in the ASO?

Primary care doctors don't even get that these days.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

What's missing from this article is how compensation packages at the ASO stack up to other US orchestras. The musicians and administrators are at the end of the day a commodity. I would interested in knowing how said commodity is valued in other markets.

I would have to think salaries for ASO musicians are pretty competitive with our peer cities.

I can see their point, however. If you've got executives pulling down half a million a year, why should the people who actually play the music have to scrimp by on a measly $130,000?

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I would have to think salaries for ASO musicians are pretty competitive with our peer cities.

I can see their point, however. If you've got executives pulling down half a million a year, why should the people who actually play the music have to scrimp by on a measly $130,000?

It's also a question of...do they earn the pay? If the ASO was packin' them in so all the salaries and benefits are covered, then there wouldn't be an argument. But symphonies rely on gifts, endowments, and corporate and private sponsorships so it does beg the question of are they worth it?

Most of the reasons I've heard for even having a symphony, ballet, and opera is...well...any big city has to have one.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

It's also a question of...do they earn the pay? If the ASO was packin' them in so all the salaries and benefits are covered, then there wouldn't be an argument. But symphonies rely on gifts, endowments, and corporate and private sponsorships so it does beg the question of are they worth it?

Most of the reasons I've heard for even having a symphony, ballet, and opera is...well...any big city has to have one.

I believe your last statement to be true. It's one of those things we're expected to have when being considered for corporate relocation and so forth.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I would have to think salaries for ASO musicians are pretty competitive with our peer cities.

I can see their point, however. If you've got executives pulling down half a million a year, why should the people who actually play the music have to scrimp by on a measly $130,000?

Especially when you compare them to media entertainment, where talent quite typically outearns much of the upper management.

[JAS]

Originally Posted by rzzz

A pension for a violin player might seem ludicrous to some, but it was part of the contract. Now the other party wants to renege, so of course they are going to fight it out.

I don't believe that anyone reneged on the contract - their prior contract was fulfilled and expired 8/31, but a new one has not been agreed upon.

[StAubin]

ASO is very important to atlanta. For those complaining about saleries, look at it like a football team, in order to have the best you gotta pay. As far as the musical world is concerned, ASO musicians are UNDERpaid. ASO ranks towards the back of major orchestras in musicians saleries.

Also most people in Atlanta don't realise what ASO is worth. ASO is widley considered one of the best orchestras in the WORLD. Many of ASO's recordings are considered the gold standard in the world. The culture of Atlanta would take a MASSIVE hit without ASO.

This is a big deal, I really hope they can work it out.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by StAubin

ASO is very important to atlanta. For those complaining about saleries, look at it like a football team, in order to have the best you gotta pay. As far as the musical world is concerned, ASO musicians are UNDERpaid. ASO ranks towards the back of major orchestras in musicians saleries.

But football brings in a lot of money...and I mean a lot. It also has revenue sharing. The one area football can screw a town is demanding a new stadium. But I guess so can the symphony. The Atlanta Ballet and Opera dumped Atlanta and now perform at Cobb Energy. Really, your pay should reflect the market value for your skill.

Also most people in Atlanta don't realise what ASO is worth. ASO is widley considered one of the best orchestras in the WORLD. Many of ASO's recordings are considered the gold standard in the world. The culture of Atlanta would take a MASSIVE hit without ASO.

This is a big deal, I really hope they can work it out.

I've never heard the ASO described as among the best in the world. To me they've always been second string at best. What surprises me is that Cleveland's is considered to be so good.

[StAubin]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

But football brings in a lot of money...and I mean a lot. It also has revenue sharing. The one area football can screw a town is demanding a new stadium. But I guess so can the symphony. The Atlanta Ballet and Opera dumped Atlanta and now perform at Cobb Energy. Really, your pay should reflect the market value for your skill.


I've never heard the ASO described as among the best in the world. To me they've always been second string at best. What surprises me is that Cleveland's is considered to be so good.

ASO is definatly one of the best in the world. If you think they are seconed string than you really dont know anything about modern classical music.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by StAubin

ASO is definatly one of the best in the world. If you think they are seconed string than you really dont know anything about modern classical music.

Ok, among the best in the world, says who?