A few blocks from Georgia State’s campus, a major labor dispute is taking place by the world-class musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) at the Woodruff Arts Center on Peachtree Street.
The musicians were locked out on Sept. 7 when the former contract between the Woodruff Arts Center expired and the negotiations over the new contract failed, according to the the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). The lockout follows a similar dispute that took place two years prior between both parties.
ASO management wished to cut both benefits of current members as well as downsize by almost 20 members, according to the AJC.
Negotiations between the musicians and management have broken down with neither interested in conducting further negotiations, according to Arts Atlanta.
ASO also post-poned its 14/15 concerts until Nov. 8, according to a Sept. 22 post on the orchestra’s website.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Player’s Association (ASOPA), which is the negotiating arm for ASO musicians, received support from various other orchestras around the U.S. that have experienced similar situations. This includes the Chicago Symphony and Minnesota Symphony.
The Minnesota Symphony released a press release on their Facebook page in support of ASOPA on Sept. 14. Minnesota Symphony’s musicians have also recently returned from a 16 month hiatus due to a contract dispute.
Robert Spano, music director for the Atlanta Symphony, also released an open-letter voicing his support for the players on Sept. 2.
“Sustainability must also be applied to a quality of the orchestra and the notion of excellence, not only to finances. We must re-dedicate ourselves to the ASO’s founding principles of excellence and to the support of a full, robust, and world-class symphony orchestra,” the letter states.
Georgia State’s School of Music also has a close relationship with the city’s orchestra with many faculty members having been substitutes for musicians, according to the college’s website. This included full-time members such as Dr. Peter Marshall.
“Marshall holds the Hugh and Jessie Hodgson Keyboard Chair at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and performs numerous concerts with the ASO throughout the year,” the college’s biography page states.
The school also employs two principal players in the orchestra as adjunct faculty. This includes Christopher Rex, principal cellist and Brice Andrus, principal horns.
Marquis Brown, history major, said he can understand both sides of the issue however monetary values shouldn’t be an issue.
“I understand both sides but feel as though if the city of Atlanta can afford to build the Falcons a stadium after a 4-12 season last year, then we can afford to pay classical musicians more as well,” he said.
Michael Palmer, director of Georgia State’s orchestra, said he has a long-standing relationship with ASO where his professional career began.
“I started my career with [the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra] in 1967, I came the same year Robert Shaw did. I formed a lot of very close relationships with the players in the orchestra,” he said.
Palmer also said he feels the symphony’s current situation is a grave risk to Georgia State’s School of Music and any student wishing to a world-class musical experience.
“The kind of education our students can get by being on a one-to-one, personal basis with these types of players is remarkable, we really can’t put a price on it. The Atlanta Symphony is without doubt, the jewel in the crown of Atlanta’s cultural life, so for any student at Georgia State, it’s a terrific opportunity,” he said.
