Archived under: Conductors, The Business | Phoenix, Stories
Local University Caught Red-Handed
A Jaded Clam for predatory behavior and breaking the rules.
From page 14 of the April 2009 International Musician — the trade journal for the American Federation of Musicians — comes a story alluded to in the last Random Monday post. Until recently, it was an open secret among musicians in the local scene that a professor at a local university was operating a booking agency.
When Local 586 musicians and officers reportedly became aware of this booking agency — being run out of the orchestra department at the School of Music at Arizona State University — it was uncovered that the agency was underpaying, if not undercutting, standard wages.
Right-to-work
Needless to say, this created a strong discourse among local musicians and contractors.
For one gig in particular last December that I had been engaged to play, the ASU agency was rumored to have low-balled as much as $100 per musician in a counter-offer.
For a 60-piece orchestra this adds up to $6,000; a big difference that proved irresistible to the concert presenter.
Normally, competitive practices like this are not a issue in Arizona, which is a right-to-work state. The difference in this case was that resources at a state school were being used to compete with local musicians and gain an unfair advantage.
This, according to union officials, was in direct conflict with state laws and university regents regulations.
Fait accompli
Thanks to 586 president Jim Nelson, this issue was put to rest in cooperation with the director of ASU” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’%2F2008%2F08%2Fthe-hubie%2F’)”s School of Music. In an interesting turn of events, Mr. Nelson had been engaged to play the same gig through a local contractor and through the (now-defunct) ASU booking agency.
Lessons
Without question it is of value for students to gain professional experience, but this specific event raises a few questions:
- From an educational perspective, what does this practice teach students?
- What were the students paid, and if any money was left over, where did it go?
- Are audiences sophisticated enough to tell the difference between professionals and students?
Side note
To the ASU orchestra department — a Jaded Clam.
Related to this article
- An Odiferous Distinction; Introducing the Jaded Clam
Introducing the “Hubie.” The Jaded Clam Award of Merit Introducing an Award of Merit reserved for recognizing and honoring noteworthy accomplishments in the world of classical music. Known simply as the “Hubie” (after the patron saint Hubertus), each statuette is sculpted in the finest jade –... - Recommended by the University of Iowa Horn Studio
I was checking the great University of Iowa horn studio website today and noted that two of my new publications, Playing High Horn and Introducing the Horn, are now on their short list of recommended books. Check out their site, it is full of great links... - The Horndog “Hubie” Award
* See also the ‘Angel‘ award. 1.) New York Times Music Critic, Allan Kozzin Given for calling it like he hears it. August 23, 2008. 2.) Columbus Symphony Orchestra Executive Director, Tony Beadle Given for meritorious public relations. October 3, 2008 3.) New York Philharmonic Musician... - Big Fish Eats Little Fish, Symphony Eats Opera
On predatory practices. In the global corporate world, a big fish eating a little fish is a common, acceptable practice. Most large corporations have entire departments dedicated to mergers and acquisitions. In the world of the Arts however this strategy can produce mixed results. Merging a... - The Golden Clam Award of Merit
The HORNDOG GOLDEN CLAM AWARD of MERIT* is reserved for recognizing and honoring noteworthy accomplishments in the world of classical music. This honor, governed by the Cynical League of Artistic Mollusks, is arbitrarily awarded to foster and promote the advancement of the Arts and Sciences. As...
From the Mailbag: The Five Valve Single B-Flat
Random Monday: Placebo Domingo, Horns on Fire and Killer Queen
