The City of Richardson Hotel / Motel Fund, comprised of tax collections from Richardson hotel and motel guests, in part is used to support qualifying arts groups, including the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (RSO) which receives several tens of thousands of COR Arts Grant funding in a typical year. The RSO is reported to have an $800,000 operating budget, and it includes covering courtesy alcohol expense for private RSO gatherings and patron parties.
The RSO consistently struggles to stay in operation with amounts requested growing substantially over the years. It is awarded one of the larger percentages of the Arts Grant amount made available to local art groups, which is only a percentage of the operating budgets of the groups successful in getting grant funding. This is outside of the millions of dollars of support, primarily from general taxes, paying for the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts. It is a principal venue for RSO performances.
The Members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association, affiliated Local 72-147 of the American Federation of Musicians, released a press announcement (pdf) complaining that musicians were not being paid for performances yet claimed the management of RSO was being paid. The stance from the musicians of will play but under protest was indicated for the next performance at the Eisemann Center. Before the performance and literature distribution protest at the Eisemann Center happened, Maestro Anshel Brusilow, RSO Music Director and Conductor, is allegedly recorded on audio reportedly berating the musicians who apparently complained of the (lack of pay) situation.
I listened to the audio only once and it was a diatribe by the Maestro that included a verbal spar supposedly between him and one of the musicians (see link below for the reported name of the musician). The Maestro at one point alledgedly indicates that the difference between (him and the musicians) is he loves music and he points to not being paid for work in 2009 and 2010, contrary to an ascertion that had been made. The recording is just over four and a half minutes long. It is reported and linked at Inside the Classics, How Not To Address An Orchestra. The audio includes lines, it's nobody's business what I make (...can look it up), get out, and I don't need you.
There are a couple of distinct themes that seem to be repeating in Richardson.
The Members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association, affiliated Local 72-147 of the American Federation of Musicians, released a press announcement (pdf) complaining that musicians were not being paid for performances yet claimed the management of RSO was being paid. The stance from the musicians of will play but under protest was indicated for the next performance at the Eisemann Center. Before the performance and literature distribution protest at the Eisemann Center happened, Maestro Anshel Brusilow, RSO Music Director and Conductor, is allegedly recorded on audio reportedly berating the musicians who apparently complained of the (lack of pay) situation.
I listened to the audio only once and it was a diatribe by the Maestro that included a verbal spar supposedly between him and one of the musicians (see link below for the reported name of the musician). The Maestro at one point alledgedly indicates that the difference between (him and the musicians) is he loves music and he points to not being paid for work in 2009 and 2010, contrary to an ascertion that had been made. The recording is just over four and a half minutes long. It is reported and linked at Inside the Classics, How Not To Address An Orchestra. The audio includes lines, it's nobody's business what I make (...can look it up), get out, and I don't need you.
There are a couple of distinct themes that seem to be repeating in Richardson.
