By Pete Vriesenga
The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District was adopted by Metro-Denver voters in 1988. “Quality” was SCFD’s first and foremost committment to voters who were told that eligible organizations must participate in a competitive grant application process. In many respects this committment was set into law with SCFD’s statutory requirement of adherence to the [...]
Authors, Legislative, Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, Symphonic/Classical
The Cherry Creek Chorale has provided welcome employment for DMA members for many years. These productions are costly and we are forever grateful for CCC’s efforts to stage such events and hope they can continue into the future.
But, as stated in CCC’s 2011-12 Season Flyer, CCC has engaged the Boulder Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for [...]
Labor, Legislative, Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, Symphonic/Classical, Uncategorized
The Lone Tree Arts Commission was established by the City of Lone Tree in 1999 to promote public awareness of fine and performing arts within the City. Funding for the LTAC comes in part from the City of Lone Tree, and also from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District which provides approximately $75,000 annually. The Lone Tree Symphony, for example, receives more than $40,0000 annually in grant awards from LTAC. With additional funding from Douglas County SCFD, 80% of Lone Tree Symphony’s annual budget now comes from “government grants.” Government support for symphony orchestras as a national average is is just 4%.
Legislative, Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, Symphonic/Classical, Uncategorized
Mr. McNeil,
Your closing statement: “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all” suggests that our community “should not” question authority of the SCFD board that oversees distribution of $40 million annually in public funds. Your readers should also know that Peter Drucker, author of your statement, also wrote “QUESTION AUTHORITY The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization.” I recommend that you read Drucker’s book, and also recommend that you start quoting authors when you use their material in the future.
Legislative, Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, Symphonic/Classical
I posted an announcement and commentary on March 22nd entitled: Please attend SCFD’s public meeting on March 24, 2011. My hope was to let our community of professional musicians know that our industry is again in jeopardy because of irresponsible decisions of the SCFD board and administrators. Apparently my announcement was successful, as measured by the fact that all remaining chairs in the meeting room were taken by very concerned musicians. Most were members of the Colorado Chamber Orchestra (CCO).
Legislative, Local Discussion, Pete Vriesenga, Symphonic/Classical
Amy Brenneman and Esai Morales are among 47 popular performing artists speaking out on behalf of the Employee Free Choice Act in a dynamic new video. Please take a moment to state your support on behalf of your business, band or ensemble by filling out a declaration form and returning a copy to the Denver Musicians Association.
Labor, Legislative
I strongly encourage you to immediately endorse the Employee Free Choice Act. I fail to understand why you are not taking a firm public stand on the EFCA when you previously have co-sponsored the bill.
Legislative, Vice-President Thoughts and Actions
I strongly encourage you to immediately endorse the Employee Free Choice Act. Two weeks ago I attended the town hall meeting held at the IBEW Local 68 offices.
Legislative, Vice-President Thoughts and Actions
Hundreds of musicians and their union brothers and sisters formed picket lines and distributed leaflets in front of Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, in protest of Texas Ballet Theater’s canned music policy. Demonstrators inflated a giant rat balloon to draw attention to musicians’ concerns. Demonstrations were held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 27, 28 and 29, 2009 prior to the start of the company’s Cleopatra performances.
The ballet company outsourced its orchestra pit during last weekend’s performances of “Canned Cleopatra,” replacing musicians with a recording it made in China.
Click on subject title to read on:
Electronic Media, Labor, Legislative, Local Discussion, National Discussion, Symphonic/Classical
Ballet Company Replacing Musicians with Recordings it Made in China
Company outsourced culture, is an artistic fraud and consumer rip-off, Musicians say
In June, 2008, the artistic staff of a Fort Worth ballet company traveled to Shanghai, paid $30,000.00 to the government of China and killed the jobs of our members. Join with us March 27, 28 and 29 as we converge on Bass Hall in Downtown Fort Worth to protest one of the most deplorable acts ever staged in the history of classical ballet theater.
Labor, Legislative, National Discussion, Symphonic/Classical
Recent Comments