The city's orchestra is under threat. Does anyone care? (Detroit: sales, house)

[ForStarters]

From the Wall Street Journal 9/18/2010
Disaster for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra | Sightings by Terry Teachout - WSJ.com

"The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is staring into the abyss. In order to survive a fix-it-or-else financial crisis—the DSO is expected to run up a $9 million operating deficit by the end of 2010—the management wants to slash the pay of its musicians by nearly 30%. The musicians have responded by voting to authorize a strike, and it is widely feared that this may lead to the orchestra's demise.
Does anybody care? Yes—but probably not enough to do anything about it.
The numbers tell the tale: Nearly two million people lived in Detroit in 1950. The current population is 800,000. Forty of the city's 140 square miles are vacant. Downsizing is the name of the save-Detroit game, and Mayor Dave Bing, who is looking at an $85 million budget deficit, wants to slash civic services drastically and encourage Detroit's remaining residents to cluster in the healthiest of its surviving neighborhoods.
Moderator cut: shortened, copyright protection


Don't know about all of you, but the apathy of this region has become almost unbearable...

[Retroit]

I listen to classical music all the time, but I have never supported the DSO financially. I don't make anywhere near $104k or even $75k, so I really don't have much sympathy for them, although I do admire their musical talents.

If the orchestra were making a profit, I would support the pay raise, but when they're losing money, where do the musicians expect money for a pay raise to come from? Maybe the musicians can agree to a pay cut as long as their wages return normal levels when profitability is restored? Or maybe they can reduce the length of the season? Or do what Newark did. Maybe they can relocate to Warren (sarcastic reference to Mayor Fout's attempt to lure GM there).

[ForStarters]

Originally Posted by Retroit

I listen to classical music all the time, but I have never supported the DSO financially. I don't make anywhere near $104k or even $75k, so I really don't have much sympathy for them, although I do admire their musical talents.

If the orchestra were making a profit, I would support the pay raise, but when they're losing money, where do the musicians expect money for a pay raise to come from? Maybe the musicians can agree to a pay cut as long as their wages return normal levels when profitability is restored? Or maybe they can reduce the length of the season? Or do what Newark did. Maybe they can relocate to Warren (sarcastic reference to Mayor Fout's attempt to lure GM there).

The thing is Retroit, I know their pay is a lot considering our economic times here in Detroit, but they've offered to take a 22% pay cut. I'm not sure if they can survive at all even with cost restructuring. The fact is, the people of this place called greater Detroit simply do not care to support such cultural institutions that are the pillars of our society and hallmarks of our civilization. Even other struggling cities like Cleveland manage to pull together to preserve such things in difficult times because they are an important part of our identity. It is distressing at a very personal level.

The DIA and Opera House are also in jeopardy. I went to the DIA over the weekend and had a great time, but the place was dead for a Friday evening, despite how awesome the DIA is these days. Without these institutions, we have nothing.

[fmax]

Charge a City entry fee to the Suburbanites visiting the Stadiums. Tack it onto the Ticket Price.

Raise the sales tax within the city limits to 8%.

Sock it to the Casinos, again.

Liquor Tax?

[Retroit]

Very funny, fmax! Tax sporting events, gambling, and drinking to support classical music. Oh, the irony!

If people of the Detroit area are not willing to support the fine arts, then they are not part of our identity, sad as this may be to admit. I can't imagine that many people in Detroit or surrounding areas listen to classical music or enjoy opera, painting, sculptures, etc. Detroit didn't even have a classical music station for awhile.

Let's face it, we're a bunch of low class low-lifes. We'd rather have Eminem and Kid Rock than Mozart and Beethoven. A guy who hits a baseball only 1/3 of the time can make millions, but a guy who can flawlessly play a concerto everytime can't even make six figures...go figure!

[ForStarters]

Originally Posted by Retroit

If people of the Detroit area are not willing to support the fine arts, then they are not part of our identity, sad as this may be to admit. I can't imagine that many people in Detroit or surrounding areas listen to classical music or enjoy opera, painting, sculptures, etc. Detroit didn't even have a classical music station for awhile.

You're right, perhaps we shouldn't haven't an orchestra. And, who needs the opera, or the museum, or the theater, or the science center? From what I gather most people don't use libraries either, hell 40% of the state can't even read at a 4th grade level. Libraries are a tremendous drain on tax revenue; shutter 'em. It's not like museums document history and art galleries are a symbol of a free and advanced society. Might as well dump the zoo while we're at it because it is struggling to support itself as well.

At least we have the sports teams, for now. We'll see what becomes of our basketball team this fall. We can sustain ourselves on liquor stores and fast food- Metro Detroit's finest cultural venues.

[Coldjensens]

realistically, the Orchestra members will probably not strike or quit or leave over a 25% pay cut. They will be angry and I will feel sorry for them, but for $25,000, it is not worth moving, especially since they would be very hard pressed to find a job elsewhere for $105,000 per year. If they did, they would likely displace someone who could just come here. Hopefully, when things get better, they can increase their pay again.

It is odd, so many people do not seem to realize that there is a huge recession going on. Almoste everyone is suffering from pay reduction, yet some groups, particularly union groups insist on pay raises. They have all kinds of good reasons for pay raises, or for arguing against cuts, but the bottom line is that there is now less money. It is not there. All of the best arguments in the wold will not create more money.

It is all about marketing. More people will attend baseball games than classical concerts. Baseball games are arguably far more interesting to watch on TV than a classical concert. Thus, Baseball can generate more money and pays better (plus there are far fewer batters than musicians). It is too bad, but it is. What really galls me is that big time acting (Wrestling) brings in more money and bigger pay than classical mucis.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by ForStarters

You're right, perhaps we shouldn't haven't an orchestra. And, who needs the opera, or the museum, or the theater, or the science center? From what I gather most people don't use libraries either, hell 40% of the state can't even read at a 4th grade level. Libraries are a tremendous drain on tax revenue; shutter 'em. It's not like museums document history and art galleries are a symbol of a free and advanced society. Might as well dump the zoo while we're at it because it is struggling to support itself as well.

At least we have the sports teams, for now. We'll see what becomes of our basketball team this fall. We can sustain ourselves on liquor stores and fast food- Metro Detroit's finest cultural venues.

Actually, the libraries get a tremendous amount of us, especially now. My wife (a librarian) says that library usage is way up, partially because of unemployement (people come in looking for books, computers and help with resumes job hunting, etc), and because many people can no longer afford other forms of entertainment. However, like orchestra, having books available is more than just a numbers question. It is about maintaining our culture. Otherwise, we could just start sorting out the best athletes and pull them out of school and put them all in an intensive training program. Michgian could become an athelete factory.

[Retroit]

Originally Posted by ForStarters

You're right, perhaps we shouldn't haven't an orchestra. And, who needs the opera, or the museum, or the theater, or the science center? From what I gather most people don't use libraries either, hell 40% of the state can't even read at a 4th grade level. Libraries are a tremendous drain on tax revenue; shutter 'em. It's not like museums document history and art galleries are a symbol of a free and advanced society. Might as well dump the zoo while we're at it because it is struggling to support itself as well.

At least we have the sports teams, for now. We'll see what becomes of our basketball team this fall. We can sustain ourselves on liquor stores and fast food- Metro Detroit's finest cultural venues.

Sad, but unfortunately true. People are who they are, not who you would like them to be. It goes back to our ongoing mass transit debate. We may very well be better off if we used rail transit instead of automobiles, but as long as people would rather drive, it's up to you to convince them not to. Convincing people that classical music is more enjoyable than the other "noise" that is played on the radio has been a futile effort on my part. Some people even find it strange that I still read books, like as if you are only supposed to read them if you are in school and a teacher tells you to.

[Coldjensens]

Why not tell the Orchestra members that they need to get out and get three people to come to each performance if they want ot keep their pay. That is what we tell everyone. You want to keep your pay/job when things get tight? Get out there and start marketing. No reason that the Orchestra cannot do that. Maybe they can go around to schools, malls, etc in small groups and play to try to drum up some interest.