Phoenix Symphony Voodoo Economics?

The natives are restless in the Photoshop jungle.

With the intense, summer desert heat waning, a new classical music season begins in Phoenix, Arizona. The various symphony, opera and chamber music groups are returning from summer hiatus.

With this upcoming season too comes preliminary contract negotiations for the Arizona Opera Orchestra musicians (AZOOMA). AZOOMA has a 5-year agreement that runs until 2011, but next year it will be re-opened for renegotiation.

A reoccurring theme over the years has been that Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (PSO) management — which is not affiliated with the Arizona Opera — has a strong desire to replace the independent AZOOMA orchestra with its own symphony musicians.

In pursuit of greener pastures

On the one hand, one cannot blame the PSO management for exploring new opportunities. Revenue from extra performances might help the organization with its financial stability. On the other hand, the sudden departure of Arizona Opera General Manager Debra Harrison may be an indication that a takeover may be less likely.

This has been an ongoing issue ever since Arizona Opera chose to engage its own orchestra back in 1998. More recently, what had been just a rumor has become more concrete when this idea had been tossed around through more official channels.

In previous contract negotiations, the recently ousted Ms. Harrison had made it clear that she was in favor of a takeover and that it was in the company’s future. Whether this was a negotiation ploy or an honest assertion is not clear.

With Ms. Harrison’s departure then, does the PSO pursuit of an opera takeover remain as an option? Is attempting to oust an established band of musicians out of work so that another may survive a good idea?

In the larger picture, does artistic strength come through diversity and cooperation or through uniformity and consolidation?

[In the interests of full disclosure, I am a member of the Arizona Opera Orchestra and am the developer of their musician union web site.]

Related items:

• Phoenix Symphony Orchestra Hires Social Media Consultant (03 August 2009)
• Phoenix Symphony Orchestra Cannibalism (06 July 2009)
• Cuts at the Arizona Opera (15 June 2009)
• Big Fish Little Fish (15 May 2009)
• Phoenix Symphony Blues (23 March 2008)