ethics

[wvtrumpet]

Question for everyone...
I was recently made aware that a town about 20 mins up the road from me is forming an orchestra. The orchestra will be a professional organization with a concert series. No one contacted me in regards to playing for this group, and being "in the loop" in my area I was a bit offended. However, I have since found out that the orchestra conductor has hired musicians from other locals and many from out of state. Now, sadly honest here, his series will not get off the ground in an area like this, but I would love to see it fly. Anyway, my question is this...Where do I stand in grieving his not holding auditions, and not hiring musicians from our local? Any help would be appreciated. Here is their website http://hometown.aol.com/oboejive1/clarksburgsymphony.html
I am honestly even curious if the director knows that he has to pay residuals etc. to the publishing companies for charging admission and having a concert series.
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Freelance Performer/Teacher WV, PA, MD, and OH http://www.neil-king.com
Adams A4, Adams F1 Flugelhorn, Schilke P5-4, Stomvi Eb/D Elite, Bach C 229 bell 25A, York Monarch cornet.

[A.N.A.Mendez]

Whatever happens take the "High road."Always try to assume the best in these situations,one doesn't always succeed but..........
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"There is no necessity for deadly strife" A. Lincoln 1860

☛ Chumlee for president ☚

[robert_white]

Does your AF of M local's coverage include that town? If so, you might contact them to see if they are aware of this.

[davidk]

If West Virginia is a Right-to-Work state, there isn't anything you can do about the issue. If that's the case, then it doesn't have to be a union orchestra. Union and non-union players would be able to play. As I understand it, there are many ways to form a group without it being through the union, and this sounds a bit like a pick-up orchestra. If that's so, the conductor probably has a list of players he wants to use rather than going through the expense of auditioning. Do you know any of the players in the group?

David

[wvtrumpet]

[tleasure]

I can't possibly help you with your question, but this brings up a facet about being a professional musician that has always annoyed me. It is the concept that "If it's local, it can't be good" or put another way, "You're never a star in your own town."

Some groups, when tryng to gain funding from local sources, bill their group as the 'best available from a region'. They will tell the people with the money that " This orchestra will be great! We are bringing in the best musicians all of the way from Pittsburgh (or fill in some other city name within a two hour drive from Clarksburg, WV)". I guess that it seems grander to them and their target audience.

This attitude prevails in many places, sadly.

Tim
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Tim Leasure
The Ohio State University

[wvtrumpet]

[robert_white]

[wvtrumpet]

Thank you Robert, I greatly appreciate your input....
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Freelance Performer/Teacher WV, PA, MD, and OH http://www.neil-king.com
Adams A4, Adams F1 Flugelhorn, Schilke P5-4, Stomvi Eb/D Elite, Bach C 229 bell 25A, York Monarch cornet.

[Irving]

WV trumpet: If I were you, I wouldn't do a thing. Don't forget, that when a new orchestra is formed, a lot of personel changes will take place. Just because certain players are hired at first doesn't mean that they will stay there...you might be called...but if you protest etc. they will NEVER call you.

[davidk]

[Mzony]

I would say opening up a line of communication between you (and other local players), union officials, and this organization could be in order. Not to shut down the group, but to clarify working/hiring procedures.
Is this a union gig? Are all the contracted paying dues?
Discussions can always take place without singling yourself out. Talk to your local president and see what he has to say. It may not change the immediate future, but it may open many doors for future opportunities.

Mike
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Zony

[wvtrumpet]

As of now, here is where things stand. The local is going to contact the director to see if things are in order with the union. The director is also going to call me, we have been playing phone tag today and he is suppose to get in touch with me. He did not contact the union and thus they are even unaware that an ochestra is forming. The Director told one of th musicians envolved that he was unaware of anything like this and that he does want to make things right by giving the local musicians a chance to play. He was quoted as saying that he in no way wanted to slight me or any of the other qualified area players by not asking us to take part.
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Freelance Performer/Teacher WV, PA, MD, and OH http://www.neil-king.com
Adams A4, Adams F1 Flugelhorn, Schilke P5-4, Stomvi Eb/D Elite, Bach C 229 bell 25A, York Monarch cornet.

[jhorn229h]

Man, I can't believe they didn't call me......that Clarksburgh Symphony! ........I'm going to lose a lot of sleep over this one! I say we send Cobra Kai down there to set things straight.



J
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"Sheer Chops and Sound.........if not you're just a Clown............."

[robert_white]

What Zony said is exactly what I was getting at. Transparency for its own sake may not create more work for wvtrumpet, but it's still worth pursuing, albeit quietly. I agree with Irving that this is nothing worth burning a bridge over - but wvtrumpets is within his rights as a dues paying member of AF of M to find out what's happening.

[wvtrumpet]