I would like to thank the audience, my fellow NHMF musicians and our
orchestra committee for forcing Graham and Fogel to change their initial
idea of destroying the Festival as it has been. The fact that we are alive for another year is a victory for all of us.
I have absolutely no reason to believe that the intentions of Graham and Fogel have changed, only withdrawn until they can better organize for what they would see as a victory. Loosing a battle does not mean loosing a war. Quite often it is the opposite; a loss allows for understanding the enemy and for better future planning.
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Hi,
We have been talking about this the whole trip down, often at odds with each other, and we are only in Asheville NC at this point, so we have a ways to go.
I would love it if SOON were able to accomplish those things that the committee was not willing to attempt to accomplish on our behalf, but somehow, I have a real problem with asking them to do that.
Having served on orchestra committees, I always did my utmost to do things in such a way that the orchestra would support the committee at the end of what ever process we were in. And, at the end of that process, it was imperative that that support BE there.
I did not, nor have I for one minute, agreed with the path that Valerie took with this committee. I think back, and cringe- "We have a good rapport with David...", "I would prefer 2 committees, so this committee can keep the rapport that we have built" (those from last year), and on into this year- "I just feel that if I am not here next year, we will have lost", "We need to keep the orchestra together", ""If the orchestra is together we can work to move things in the direction that we want" and so forth. This was her viewpoint when she was a member of the majority, and when she was not she kept that viewpoint, and she prevailed.
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August 21, 2009
To the members of SOON,
First, as a member of the NHMF I know that we all want to let you know how tremendously grateful we are for your support this summer. You literally helped save our jobs, at least for one more year. Your voice of outrage turned a powerless situation for us into a situation where we had to be reckoned with. The creation of your group was an overwhelming articulation of the power of the music that binds us all together. I know all of us in the orchestra have been deeply moved that our performances over the years affected you enough to work this hard on our behalf. I can personally say that this unexpected gift has been a profound revelation.
I think it is also safe to say that our agreement with management was made under duress to save our jobs and certainly represents numerous compromises on our part that many in the orchestra are quite uncomfortable with. Of course, all contracts represent compromises, but the circumstances of these negotiations were obviously more harrowing and difficult than usual. It resulted in an agreement that is certainly far from ideal. This is a long and detailed email, and I apologize for its lack of brevity, but I hope it illuminates some issues that are nuanced. Here are some specific examples of the agreement itself that cause many of us concern:
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Hello Everyone,
I need to clarify to those folks in SOON who seem to think that the musicians of the orchestra are "satisfied" with the arrangement made by the orchestra committee and management. I might go out on a limb and say that NONE of the musicians are satisfied. We are VERY unhappy. The deal was made because management pulled out some surprises in the last meeting, but it wasn't a deal that the musicians wanted or voted to take. The orchestra committee did the best they could. At least it keeps our feet in the door. I urge all of our supporters to continue the hard work you are doing and get rid of David Graham and Henry Fogel. That is the only way we will get our Festival back. Henry Fogel will not stop with this Festival. He will move on and demolish other orchestral groups. We need to stop him here and now. David Graham is no longer capable of running this Festival. He must be removed. Harsh statements, but these are harsh inhumane times.
So, not for one minute stop fighting. Management will revert to what they want after next summer and will pick us off one by one. Thanks for EVERYTHING you are all doing.
Cheers,
Bozena O'Brien (violinist in NHMF) |
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