Last month was a busy month. President Hawley spoke to musicians as part of The Art of The Conversation at Artspot 403 in Hallandale Beach. President Hawley and Secretary-Treasurer Apana also joined AFM Symphonic Services Director Skolnick, AFM Symphonic Media Director Newmark, ROPA President Steve Wade, and ICSOM President Nicole Jordan to speak to fellows at the New World Symphony. This is an annual visit, and an opportunity to introduce the fellows to the AFM and for the fellows to ask questions about life as a symphony musician.
Musicians at Miami City Ballet were notified that the Ballet is having financial problems and that the Ballet will be dancing to tape for the last production of the season. The musicians conducted a meeting and selected a committee to reach out to the Ballet, open a dialogue, and see what can be done to keep the orchestra in the pit. Music is an integral part of ballet, and the Miami City Ballet has said it best: see the music, hear the dance!
A tenured musician in Palm Beach Opera received a notice that their employment was being terminated, and they are working with our staff to make sure they receive due process, including appealing to an Appeals Committee if necessary. As they were also removed from a production with less than the required cancellation notice, they are fighting to be fully paid for that protection. Contracts protect our rights, and we fully expect that the musician will be paid and their dismissal thoroughly reviewed for compliance with the contract, and that they will be restored as a member of the orchestra if the Opera is found to have violated the contract or if the Appeals Committee overturns to dismissal.