More insults for musicians...

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

From the Oct. issue of "Labor Notes"...

Pittsburgh Musicians Fight Replacement With "Canned Music"
by Barbara Zmich, President, Regional Orchestra Player's Association, American Federation of Musicians

(reprinted with permission)

quote:

Pittsburgh Musicians Fight Replacement With "Canned Music"

Musicians in the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra have traded their evening gowns, tuxedos, and instruments for lime-green T-shirts and picket signs bearing the words "KEEP IT LIVE".

The musicians are fighting for their jobs against the ultimate enemy of live performing musician - a tape recorder. On Aug. 1st, the Ptttsburgh Ballet (PBT) announced that its entire 2005-2006 season would be performed with pre-recorded music, locking out the musicians. "It's the ultimate outsourcing of jobs," remarked Allegheny County Labor Council President Jack Shea. Nathan Kahn, negotiator for the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), said the Ballet's move will have serious consequences...for working musicians everywhere, as this is the first time in memory that a major ballet company has taken the step to do an entire season with pre-recorded music. We must resist this with any and all resources we have.

"JUKE BOX BALLET"

The Ballet, represented by Littler Mendelson (one of the largest union-busting law firms in the country), cites financial duress, but has failed to provide any evidence. As of Apr. 30th, the Ballet showed a $109,000 deficit on a budge that exceeds 6 million. Musicians payroll constitutes a mere 6% of the Ballet's annual expenses.

George Clewer, president of AFM Local 60-471 pointed out "The PBT Orchestra has re[eatedly made offers to help the PBT with fund-raising, but the offers have fallen on deaf ears..."I can't imagine juke-box ballet catching on in Pittsburgh any time soon."

ANGRY AUDIENCE

Audience members who discover they have paid up to $78 for a performance without live music feel cheated by the bait-and-switch. Former patrin Marjorie Liese complained "Taped music will kill the Ballet. We aren't coming to listen to canned music. People with money will go to Boston or New York for live music, and we'll be stuck with nothing". Gary Rugel won't return until there's a live orchestra in the pit. "A lot of times, I just close my eyes and listen to the music" says Rugel. I go there for specific performances of ballet music I don't hear at regular symphony concerts. The PBT has already lost my ticket".

The next goal is to flood the streets in front of the Benedum Center Theater with supporters of the musicians Oct. 6th-9th, at the season's opening performances. Former patron Marie Buck summed up the sentiments of the public when she said "We want you guys back, we want a band."

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 03 October 2005 at 02:16 PM.]

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Unbelievable the things that management will do.

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

The best way to put a stop to this is for the public to stay away. They quit selling tickets and have no audience and no money they might get the picture. I never heard of orchestra music without the orchestra playing live. Just another thing to cut costs and make someone a big profit. I hope it backfires on them.

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

You guys have no idea what is going on; or not going on, in an opera’s orchestra pit now days. Most of the time, you may see the conductor waving his wand around but the only others in the pit with him are stage directors.

My wife attended an opera in New York city this summer and thought it sort of strange that we could not see the usual violin bow coming into view or any other movement taking place in the orchestra pit. The conductor was sure putting on a performance however. The entire thing was canned music.

It won't be long!

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 03 October 2005 at 04:21 PM.]

Jennings Ward · From: Edgewater, Florida, R.I.P.

KARAOKIE BALET?????
KARAOKIE IN CHURCH !!!!!!
KARAOKIE CONCERTS.......
KARAOKIE DINNER MUSIC......
KARAOKIE MUSIC TO DIE BY!!!!!!!!
THE END IS HERE...........
JW,,,,,U PK;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

George Rozak · From: Braidwood, Illinois USA

Imagine going to see George Jones, Ray Price, etc. & then sitting in the theater and only listening to their recordings. Or maybe going to Scotty's convention and then having him only play the black album on the stage. I stay away from any club that uses djs, karaoke, etc. They'll never get my money.

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Sho-Bud: Professional & Fingertip

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

I hate to see this.

They cite "financial duress", yet fail to provide any proof of that, and at the same time hire "one of the largest union-busting law firms in the country" to represent them. Financial duress? Right.

As far as the audience feeling cheated, etc.; they should, but don't bet on that making any difference. Over 20 years ago the musicians union went on strike in Las Vegas and pulled all the musicians from the shows on the strip. They used tape backups for the shows during the strike, the musicians all thought people would never stand for it.

The majority of shows on the strip are still using canned music.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 03 October 2005 at 07:45 PM.]

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

A new low for the 'arts.'
I predict the deficit will rise even more.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

it's a faze...

of course it may last a hundred years..

but there is still plenty of LIVE music..

One of the things we never take into consideration is that there are many bands that just downright STINK...

Folks go to hear music and dance and low and behold ..the band is the worst ever..they look bad , they act bad..etc.....

They claim to be a Country band and they are not even close...

These bands are helping cause this grief....

I am not saying that our band is anything great..but at least we play the Classics as well as new tunes , all pretty close..people dance, they clap and they come back..

There is a band on the rotation at some of the clubs we play that is just barely adequate..Me, I think they are offensive..they manage to get at least one full weekend at each of the venues ..at about $1000 for the weekend.

The Gal that runs the band is an excellent promoter, she gets gigs all over town..one time...She has a reasonable demo CD with a very hyped Promo kit..

If people are coming to see/hear/dance to Country Music and they see this band..they are clearly not impressed...and perhaps lable Country Music..

This band was very recently fired half way thru a Friday Night at one of the rotation clubs. Fri night is the $$$ night for the club, they earn ALL THE CASH on Fri nights..The place was packed at 10:00..empty by 11:00 and even worse, the patrons went down the road to the #1 competitor..

Club owner looses money..on the BANK night..

Not a good thing..

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 04 October 2005 at 03:14 AM.]

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Eat to the beat
Who cares if it's canned or fresh.
We don't eat real food anymore,
why listen to real music.

Why not just animate the dancers too.
Do it with 3D and lasers,
they can then do a lot more tricks.
And fewer doctors bills.

Why should humans be subjected,
to other humans getting paid to try their best...

Please use large towel to wipe off the irony.

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

At least the stagehand's union (at the Benedum) just got a new contract. 3% raise per year.

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

Tony, is there not a band rating system where you are? In our part of the world there is a rating system that most bands are rated to. The band I play with is rated as a #1 so our band leader can charge whatever.

We have a country rock band at one of or local bars that is rated as a #3. #5 is pretty much a basement jam group while #1 is a professional and a well established band.

If I am correct with this, I think most musician unions in North America use this system.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Les, No, no rating system..

I don't think I have ever played in an area that had a rating system. Some bands I played with were Union, most were not.

Pretty interesting concept though..

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 05 October 2005 at 04:34 AM.]

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Ray. They have not figured out just yet how to make a computer pick up a lighting truss. When they do, the stagehands will be out the door also.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Another journalist who can't do math wrote:

Jim Phelps · From: Mexico City, Mexico

Never heard of that kind of rating system, Les. How are the bands rated, who does the rating?

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

To break even they only need raise prices a bit over 2%
Since 360 K pays the band, they are only
1/3 off profit with the musicians.

Still making up 100k out of 6 mil is not a lot,
600k is 10%
so the band is around 5% of total budget, and only 1/3 of that amount is in the red.

No calulator at hand,
but it seems you could make up 2.x %
from 6 mil without canning so many dedicated players.

To can so many players is a BIG deal.
TO shave EVERYBODIES budgets 2 % seems quite reasonable in comparison.
or 1% tickets + 1% budget cuts.

Beancounters should be made to EAT only beans,
if they expect others to do the same...

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 05 October 2005 at 12:32 AM.]

Chris Forbes · From: Beltsville, MD, USA

Question: How much are they paying that "union busting" law firm?

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Tony Prior is correct. There are alot of so called country bands out there that flat out stink. If you've got a good band you've got nothing to worry about.

Patrick Ickes · From: Upper Lake, CA USA

B0b's right.
A friend of mine's brother plays cello in the San Francisco Symphony, and he doesn't give a rat's rump as to what songs he has to play, as long as that check show's up. In fact, as I think of it more, I believe he has since moved on to another line of work, for, of course, more money. I don't blame him, but...Dedication to "the music"?
Nobody likes to hear about any job outsourcing, but with todays syntho-crap music, why would any audience care if the music was canned or not?? Most people today get their music from videos with super stimulating graphics. They don't even know what a guitar, piano, violin, or oboe is, let alone that it takes a HUMAN BEING with talent to make that sound.
And with that kind of audience, wouldn't you try to save the money of an orchestra so as to at least be able to continue to bring some kind of "live" entertainment to people who are willing to support it??
Kill your TV,
Pat

[This message was edited by Patrick Ickes for spelling errors on 05 October 2005 at 10:42 PM.]

[This message was edited by Patrick Ickes on 05 October 2005 at 10:45 PM.]

Kenny Burford · From: Independence, Missouri USA

I think this same thing happened to radio in the 40s and 50s and later in television. Canned music has made its way into every possible venue around the world, but if people are willing to pay for it and consider it entertainment the money makers are more than happy to provide it and put the extra money made in their pockets.

When people talk to me about using DJ's for dances I tell them I quit going to sock hops when I turned 12. As for folks singing a long with canned music, I have yet to hear anyone who could really sing, sing along with canned music.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

Here in the Memphis area, it aint what it used to be! Clubs will not hire most bands because they SUCK! For ex., one of the big companies had its annual blast recently, hired a band for big money; the band played 20 minutes when the entertainment co-ordinator paid them off, told them to leave, and rolled out a jukebox. You used to know what you were getting when you hired a group; today the "music" can be absolutely insulting to those who want to have a good time. Also, the casinos in Tunica use pre-recorded scores for the acts; the music is good and well composed, but NOT LIVE. All is chreographed to the score which was recorded in New York. Shows like Wayne Newton have their own band, however. I have played at Hotel Peabody when there were as many as 4 orchestras + 2 or 3 combos in the various entertainment ballrooms and on top in the Skyway which broadcasted that orchestra 5 nights a week on CBS for 30 minutes, BUT NO MORE. ---j---