Dear Mr. Graham,
You and your board really ought to be ashamed of yourselves. As a long-time supporter of the arts, I find it hard to believe that your festival musicians, many of whom have served for ten, twenty, and as many as forty years, are being asked to submit an audition portfolio and written essays in order to continue their careers with the NHMForchestra. The reapplication process is an insult to their professionalism and is unheard of in the industry. This would lead even a casual observer to believe that the intent is to eliminate the present NHMF orchestra and replace them with less experienced (read, cheaper) musicians.
It is bad enough that this despicable practice is allowed to go unchecked in the corporate world. One would hope that the stewards of our cultural institutions would have more respect for, and a deeper understanding of the value of career experience. How disappointing to find out that this is not true in the case of NHMF and how ill-advised of you to think it will go unnoticed. I personally intend to bring this to the attention of as many arts and labor organizations as possible. If you continue on this course you will most certainly cause permanent damage to the reputation of the festival and quite possibly bring on it’s ultimate demise.
I know I speak for many when I urge you to reconsider this “strategy”.
Sincerely,
Lori A. Dana