http://www.ssopo.org/news.html Latest news from the Seattle Symphony & Opera Players' Organization en-us Copyright 2008 Seattle Symphony & Opera Players' Organization Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=128 The Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen has been out of town lately, doing his day job as a lobbyist in Olympia (a fact not noted in his short resume in the "about us" section of the Gathering Note). He took time out from his busy schedule to write about the 2010 Challenge, aspects of which he... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=128 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=127 Seattle Symphony cellists Walter Gray, Roberta Downey, Meeka Quan DiLorenzo and Eric Gaenslan are participating in this year's Bach Suite Marathon sponsored by the Seattle Violoncello Society. Every year around Bach's birthday (March 21, 1685) the Society puts on a free performance of the... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=127 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=126 The Gathering Note has a new look and a review of the Seattle Opera's Falstaff. Read the review here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=126 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=125 It was my first time hearing the Seattle Symphony Orchestra in person. They have made plenty of great recordings, but hearing an orchestra in its own hall is always a really disarming and illuminating experience. Our friend Jill had managed to get us two comp tickets to the all Mozart program that... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=125 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=124 Crosscut's David Brewster highlights one of the must see events in the Seattle Chamber Player's Icebreaker V series at On the Boards. Read the article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=124 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=123 Cathalena E. Burch of the Arizona Daily Star writes about the Seattle Symphony 2010 Challenge. The Seattle Symphony and Opera Players Association were the first to jump into the orchestra's 2010 fundraising campaign, kicking in an impressive $168,840 to get things started. Read the article... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=123 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=122 This is a reprint of the Washington State Arts Alliance Arts Action Alert urging concerned citizens to write e-mails to their representatives regarding a tax bill moving through the House TODAY in Olympia. The Washington State Arts Alliance, a 501 (c)(4) membership organization, is the leading... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=122 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=121 From Northwest Reverb: Seattle Opera's production of “Falstaff” is a real winner, blending comedy with Verdi's great music to create laughter over our human predicament. The opening night performance (February 27) at McCaw Hall was a feast for the ears, with Peter Rose in the title role and an... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=121 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=120 From the Seattle Times' Bernard Jacobson: There are opera productions that are faithful to the spirit of the work, yet tell us nothing about it that we didn't already know. Then there are those that rank the directorial quest for "originality" before anything composer and librettist may have had in... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=120 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=119 One of Seattle's most respected music critics writes about "Curtis on Tour", a program from one of the country's most respected music schools. The Seattle Symphony numbers many Curtis Institute graduates, including bassists Jordan Anderson (principal), Jennifer Godfrey and Jonathan Burnstein; ... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=119 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=118 The Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen reviews the Seattle Chamber Player's first weekend of groundbreaking Icebreaker V concerts. Read the article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=118 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=117 Fresh from his other-worldly paced post "A Little Symphonic Science Fiction", Peter A. Klein tackles a Seattle Symphony concert review, last week's all Mozart program. Read the review here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=117 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=9&ni=116 Musicians' Unprecedented Gift Matched Twice, Raising over a Half-Million Dollars Community Invited to Join Musicians in Fundraising Campaign The musicians of the Seattle Symphony and Opera Players' Organization (SSOPO) have kicked off the 2010 Challenge, a community fundraising campaign... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=9&ni=116 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=115 By Arthur Zadinsky Symphony musicians often play a significant role in the educational and cultural development of the communities in which they live and work. Whether they teach privately or at local schools, symphony musicians offer a unique perspective of how music can improve and enrich... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=115 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=114 From Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: My tickets to the Seattle Symphony Orchestra read "Orchestra Left, Row K" — or so it looked to me without my glasses. Not long after my companion and I settled into our seats, along came a handsome young fellow with a British accent to point out the seats were... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=114 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=113 The Seattle Art Museum hosts a Haiti benefit concert featuring celebrated Seattle artists, including the SSO's Jeannie Wells Yablonsky on Sunday February 28th at 3:00pm. The full line up of musicians is: Robin McCabe, Craig Sheppard, Amber Archibald, Quinton Morris, Rajan Krishnaswami, Mark... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=113 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=112 From Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times: Seattle Chamber Players' "Icebreaker V: Love and War" is a two-weekend festival featuring compositions from the Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Iceland, Denmark, Russia and Ukraine. Almost all are world premieres commissioned by Seattle Chamber Players. ... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=112 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=111 From Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: Let's say you're the principal second violinist in a top-notch orchestra, and the boss asks you to pick one of Mozart's five violin concertos in which to solo. If you're Seattle Symphony Orchestra's Elisa Barston, you know what you want. Read the article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=111 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=110 From The Gathering Note: Here is my second interview with Mikhail Shmidt. In this video Shmidt talks about Hungarian composer Gyorgy Kurtag's “Kafka Fragments,” a piece he will perform this Saturday as part of Icebreaker V. Read the article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=110 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=109 On Tuesday February 23, members of the Seattle Symphony, conducted by Maestro Gerard Schwarz, performed a side by side concert with the University of Washington Symphony. The program was Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto, followed by Richard Strauss' masterpiece, Ein Heldenleben. Symphony member... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=109 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=108 This is a reprint of the Arts Action Alert in support of State House Finance Committee ESSB6051. This bill supports 4Culture - the King County Arts and Culture agency - which supports the Seattle Symphony and other worthy arts groups. You can become a Facebook fan of 4culture here ... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=108 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=107 Mikhail Shmidt, Seattle Symphony first violinist and one of the trio of SSO players in the Seattle Chamber Players discusses the forthcoming Icebreaker V concerts, SCP's critically acclaimed contemporary music festival, with the Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen. Read the article, watch the... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=107 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=106 By Simon James Seattle has long been known for its rich arts community, and boasts an internationally regarded symphony orchestra, opera and ballet. Lesser known, though equally remarkable, are the achievements of the generations of young musicians who have come of age in our city. From the... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=106 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=105 Tavis Hamilton interviews February Teen Tix Crush-of-the-Month Alexander Prior, the 17 year-old Assistant to the Guest Conductors at Seattle Symphony. Teen Tix is an innovative program that lets 13-18 year olds buy rush tickets to Seattle Arts performances for $5. Links Teen Tix Web... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=105 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=104 Seattle Symphony Principal Bass Jordan Anderson is not playing the Stephen Sondheim Pops series this week at Benaroya Hall. Instead he's playing a challenging recital of his own compositions and Eduard Tubin's Concerto for Double Bass at the University of Washington's Brechemin Auditorium. If... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=104 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=103 From Michael Kaiser, The Huffington Post: I am completely sympathetic with the current plight of my fellow arts managers. I do believe there are times when programming and marketing must be sacrificed but I believe this should be a last resort, not a first resort. Raed the full article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=103 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=102 The teen tix blog is known for keeping it real and is part of Seattle's excellent Teen Tix program that lets young people get tickets to Seattle arts venues for $5. This month Alex Prior is their "Crush of the Month". Read the teen tix blog post here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=102 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=101 R.M. Campbell, writing for the Gathering Note, reviews last week's Seattle Symphony subscription program. The concerts included the fantastic Stefan Jackiw, a Seattle favorite, playing the Barber Violin Concerto. Read the review here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=101 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=100 This is a gallery of pictures taken at the recent Roosevelt High School Side by Side concert. Photos by Larey McDaniel. Our thanks to Anna Edwards for getting the necessary permissions for us to post these pictures. Click here to view the gallery... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=100 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=99 From the Gathering Note: Everyone in Seattle who loves classical music must have breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Seattle Symphony musicians and management announced they had come to a tentative contract agreement. I know I did. Read the Gathering Note article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=99 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=98 KING 5 interviews 17 year old Alexander Prior, the Seattle Symphony's Assistant to Guest Conductors. Watch the KING 5 video here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=98 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=97 The Seattle Chamber Players, whose members consist of three Seattle Symphony musicians: violinist Mikhail Shmidt, cellist David Sabee, clarinetist Laura DeLuca; with flutist Paul Taub (Cornish College of the Arts faculty) and artistic advisor Elena Dubinets (Seattle Symphony Director of Artistic... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=97 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=96 The odeonquartet, which includes Seattle Symphony members Gennady Filimonov and Artur Girsky is playing a concert titled "Triple Glass - The Magic of Glass" at Town Hall, March 8th, 7:30pm. The concert is with Dennis James the renowned glass armonica virtuoso and includes the Seattle Premier... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=96 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=95 Zach Carstensen reviews the Seattle Symphony program from the February 4th and 6th concerts. Read Dynamic Schumann at the SSO here Note - updated Feb 8th to reflect change in title... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=95 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=94 From the NY Times: Gerard Schwarz will bow out after 26 years as music director of the Seattle Symphony with a bang. The orchestra said on Thursday that next season, his last, would open with Mr. Schwarz conducting a concert featuring his son Julian playing the world premiere of a cello concerto by... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=94 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=93 Seattle Symphony Press Release, February 5th 2010. Seattle Symphony Board Chair Leslie Jackson Chihuly announced the appointment of current Seattle Symphony Vice President of Development Mark McCampbell to the position of Interim Executive Director. McCampbell has 30 years of non-profit... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=93 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=92 From the Seattle Times: Seattle Symphony Vice President of Development Mark McCampbell has been named interim executive director of the Symphony, board chairwoman Leslie Jackson Chihuly announced Friday afternoon. McCampbell was brought into the symphony by current Executive Director Thomas... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=92 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=91 The Seattle Symphony has announced its 2010-11 season. The 2010-11 season is Gerard Schwarz's final season as Music Director, and is a celebration of his twenty-six highly successful years with the Seattle Symphony. It's hard to know where to start when honoring Maestro Schwarz, but this... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=91 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=90 From KOMO 4 News: A 17 year old international sensation is the newest addition to Seattle's Symphony. KOMO's Elisa Jaffe introduces us to the teen conductor. View the KOMO news video... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=90 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=89 From Arts Action Alert: This article is a re-print of an email newsletter originally sent out by Americans for the Arts. Please write your local congress members and make them aware of the consequences of a $6 million shortfall in arts funding. Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=89 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=88 From Mimi Jung, KING 5 News: Alexander Prior is not old enough to vote, but he has already conducted some of the world's most prestigious orchestras. Now this 17-year-old British musical prodigy is part of the Seattle Symphony. View KING 5 news story... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=88 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=87 Longtime Seattle Symphony benefactor, donor and friend Buster Alvord has died. He will be remembered for his unerring support of the Seattle Symphony and will be missed. In the Seattle Times article linked below Maestro Schwarz is quoted: "I am such a great admirer of all his... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=87 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=86 David Brewster of Crosscut talks about the recent tentative agreement between the symphony players and the management. Hinting at the players' desire for positive change, renewal and a continuation of artistic improvement, Mr. Brewster highlights the developments that "broke the logjam" according... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=86 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=85 This report from KUOW's Amy Radil concentrates on the musicians' extraordinary gift of $2,010 each to the symphony as a catalyst for fund raising. Tom Philion is the Seattle Symphony's executive director. He calls the musicians' gift a catalyst for other contributions. Philion: "The... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=85 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=84 SEATTLE SYMPHONY/OPERA PLAYERS' ORG. ANNOUNCE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT Seattle Symphony and its musicians' union, Seattle Symphony and Opera Players' Organization (SSOPO), have reached an agreement on a new contract after two days of intense negotiations. Both sides have agreed to work together... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=84 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=83 From Dan Wakin, NY Times: The Seattle Symphony's musicians and management have agreed on a contract after contentious negotiations that included a strike authorization. The agreement, which was announced on Thursday and still has to be ratified by both sides, includes a 5 percent pay cut through... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=83 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=82 Read the article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=82 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=81 From Drew McManus of Adaptistration: The Seattle Symphony and their musicians have reached a tentative agreement. The new agreement, which has yet to be ratified by the musicians, will last 23 months over the course of three seasons and contains some very unique elements (although not entirely... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=81 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=80 From Janet Tu of the Seattle Times: The Seattle Symphony's musicians and management reached a tentative agreement on a new contract Wednesday, ending months of tense negotiations. Read the Seattle Times article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=80 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=79 From Zach Carstensen of the Gathering Note: The Seattle Symphony musicians and management have reached a tentative agreement on a multi-year contract, paving the way for the next phase of the orchestra's future. Read the article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=79 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=78 Seattle Symphony and its musicians' union, Seattle Symphony and Opera Players' Organization (SSOPO), have reached an agreement on a new contract after two days of intense negotiations. Both sides have agreed to work together over the coming years to achieve the level of artistic excellence and... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=78 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=75 From the Laconia Daily Sun in New Hampshire: Less than two weeks after abandoning pursuit of a new artistic vision and restructured orchestra, which sparked bitter controversy last summer, the board of the New Hampshire Music Festival shuffled directors and management when it met last week. ... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=75 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=73 Marcie Sillman reports on the ongoing Seattle Symphony contract negotiations. SSOPO chairman, Tim Hale, talks about these negotiations being about more than money. "It's actually about the future of the Seattle Symphony." Listen to the news segment here Read the blog post here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=73 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=72 From Janet Tu of the Seattle Times: The Seattle Symphony's recent money troubles have put it in the same company with orchestras nationwide whose economic woes have been thrust into the spotlight. Symphony musicians haven't accepted management's offer of a new contract since the old one expired... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=72 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=71 "Side by side" concert at Roosevelt High School part of a long tradition of Seattle Symphony education outreach inspiring artistic excellence in our city's youth by Kathleen Stern Art and education combined this week when musicians of the Seattle Symphony and student musicians from... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=71 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=70 From Richard Morrison of the London Times: Though not yet old enough to vote, Alexander Prior must already be one of the most famous British conductors of our time. He was the star turn in a Channel 4 series modestly titled The World's Greatest Musical Prodigies. Then last week he announced that he... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=70 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=69 Adaptistration's Drew McManus gets it. Here he writes about what the Seattle Symphony & Opera Players' Organization are trying to achieve; an artistically bright, financially secure future for the symphony we care so deeply about. Updates In Seattle by Drew McManus It was an... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=69 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=68 The Seattle Symphony has been playing some free outreach concerts recently, organized by our wonderful education director Nancy Gosen. On January 20th, the symphony played at Denny International Middle School in their "cafetorium", which merited an entry in the famed West Seattle Blog. View... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=68 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=67 Seattle Symphony musicians continue their commitment to outreach in the wider Seattle Community by Emma McGrath On Sunday 17th January, 2010, Assistant Conductor Thomas Hong, Violist Sayaka Kokubo, and Associate Concertmaster Emma McGrath took an adventurous trip to the Korean Community... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=67 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=66 Britain's teenage conducting phenomenon Alex Prior talks about his new job at the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Read the article here.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=66 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=65 Seattle Symphony Principal Trumpet, David Gordon answers questions about the Seattle Symphony contract negotiations on Fox News Q13. This interview aired on January 19th 2010. If you have difficulties watching the video on this page, please watch the video on the Fox News web site ... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=65 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=64 The Cleveland Orchestra Musicians have reached a deal with the MAA, their management association. Here is the official press release: The Musicians' Union and Management of The Cleveland Orchestra reached a tentative agreement early this morning for a new three-year contract through... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=64 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=63 Continuing the large volume of international press coverage the hiring of Alex Prior has received, The Guardian (UK) posts a blog entry discussing the 17 year old conductor. Read the Guardian blog post here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=63 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=62 The Seattle PI article outlines the reasons behind the unanimous rejection of the Seattle Symphony management's contract proposal. The musicians are committed to building a successful present and future for the SSO," said violist Tim Hale, chairman of the Seattle Symphony and Opera Players'... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=62 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=61 The Symphony needs a new executive director, a position that is one of the cornerstones for a successful transition into the post-Schwarz era at the Seattle Symphony. Read the Seattle PI article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=61 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=60 Zach Carstensen of the the Gathering Note has posted the musicians' statement citing the reasons behind the unanimous rejection of the managements' contract proposal and a brief management response indicating a willingness to return to the negotiating table. Read the Gathering Note post here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=60 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=59 The Cleveland Orchestra Musicians have gone on strike, having passed the deadline they had set for positive movement in their contract negotiations. Links Dan Wakin article in the NY Times Cleveland Orchestra Musicians Web Site Google News Search on Cleveland Orchestra Strike.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=59 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=58 David Brewster writes about the Seattle Symphony management's contract offer that was rejected unanimously by the Seattle Symphony musicians. Read the Crosscut article here... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=58 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=55 David Brewster reports from the Seattle Symphony administration's press conference held at the luxurious Olympic Fairmount Hotel, Thursday January 14th, 2010. Read the Crosscut article "The Symphony gives its side"... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=55 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=54 From the Gathering Note: The Seattle Symphony issued a media advisory this afternoon, announcing that Leslie Jackson Chihuly (Seattle Symphony Board Chair) will hold a media advisory tomorrow at the Olympic Fairmount Hotel. Finally. While the advisory describes the event as an opportunity for... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=54 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=53 This Boston Globe article recounts how concert goers, patrons of the New Hampshire Music Festival rallied around their orchestra to prevent the implementation of what they saw as a detrimental cookie cutter Henry Fogel/Ralph Craviso orchestra administration plan. Read the Boston Globe article... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=53 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=52 Jean Godden, Seattle City Council member and chair of its Budget and Finance Committee, writes about the current state of the arts in Seattle, focusing on the Seattle Symphony negotiations and the City of Seattle maintaining its well earned cultural edge. Read the Crosscut article here.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=52 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=51 Early in the morning, at 7:30am on Thursday and Friday of each week, the kitchen at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ballard is bustling with activity. The coffee pot is surging, there are boxes of food donations being sorted and organized, and the first helping hands are chopping onions or fresh... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=51 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=50 The Seattle Symphony Brass Quintet (David Gordon, Geoffrey Bergler, Jeff Fair, Ko-Ichiro Yamamoto and Chris Olka) will play at Mayor McGinn's Inaugural Music Festival, Saturday January 9th, 2010 in City Hall's Main Lobby following Mayor McGinn's inaugural address. The Seattle Symphony & Opera... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=50 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=49 The Seattle Symphony is pleased to welcome 17-year-old conductor Alexander Prior to an unprecedented Chairman's Fellow position, Assistant to the Guest Conductors. Prior, who is rapidly becoming known in the international music world, will play an essential role in assisting the many high-profile... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=49 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=47 The Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen continues his series of video chats with Seattle Symphony guest conductors. This time it is the legendary Kurt Masur, quite a start to the year's subscription concerts. Read/watch the interview here.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=47 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=46 Crosscut's David Brewster has written an article about the current Seattle Symphony negotiations titled At the symphony, it's play-and-talk time. He outlines some of the musicians' concerns, concentrating on the Seattle musicians' worry that new provisions proposed by the Seattle Symphony... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=46 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=45 Adaptistration's Drew McManus has written an update on negotiations in Cleveland and Seattle. Read Cleveland And Seattle: With Bated Breath... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=45 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=44 Marcie Sillman of KUOW with a segment about the Seattle Symphony negotiations. Tim Hale talks about the issues involved. "The issue is not necessarily a pay cut for the remainder of this season. It's the fact that those pay cuts continue for an additional four seasons, and that we don't get... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=44 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=42 James Bash, of the blog Northwest Reverb, writes about the current situation at the Seattle Symphony, and offers some analysis of the situation. Read James Bash's full article.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=42 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=41 The Seattle Opera has announced its 2010-11 season. The season looks exciting, with the return of some popular conductors and a wide variety of operas. Season subscriptions are available at the Seattle Opera web site. The five operas are: Tristan und Isolde Richard Wagner - July 31st to... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=41 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=39 Janet Tu of the Seattle Times writes about the current situation at the Seattle Symphony. Read the Seattle Times article.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=39 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=38 Drew McManus, orchestra business expert and the author of the highly successful blog Adaptistration, writes about his response to Tim Hale's article SSO Lowers the Bar. Link: Seattle Musicians Look Forward By Looking Back.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=38 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=37 The Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen has written an insightful article about the future of the Seattle Symphony. He asks if the SSO contract negotiations are a canary in the coal mine, and ends the article with a paragraph (reprinted below) that asks for the legacy of this orchestra to be... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=37 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=35 Continuing his series of video chats with Seattle Symphony guest conductors, the Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen chats with this year's Messiah conductor Gary Thor Wedow. Click here to read the article.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=35 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=33 The Seattle Symphony & Opera Players' Organization want you to know about a great initiative to help defeat hunger in our area, brought to you in association with Food Lifeline by KING FM and the Seattle Symphony; the Messiah Food Drive. When you and your family see the Seattle Symphony's... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=33 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=32 Food Lifeline Donations Collected at Performances Guest conductor Gary Thor Wedow will lead Seattle Symphony in five performances of the perennial holiday favorite, Handel's Messiah. Wedow and the Orchestra will be joined by the Seattle Symphony Chorale along with guest soloists soprano Lisa... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=32 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=31 Zach Carstensen chats with this week's Seattle Symphony guest conductor, Britain's Christopher Seaman. Click here to view the Gathering Note article.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=31 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=30 Principal Violist Susan Gulkis Assadi Performs Vivaldi Concerto Guest conductor Christopher Seaman will join Seattle Symphony to kick off the holiday season with four performances of Festive Holiday Encores as part of the Masterworks Season and Musically Speaking Series. The program will... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=30 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=29 Twenty SSO musicians donate their time to Museum of Flight Event by Susan Gulkis Assadi - Principal Viola, Seattle Symphony On November 14, 2009, I participated in a historical and very special event at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The event was a celebration of the Apollo missions... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=29 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=27 The Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen video chats with upcoming SSO guest conductor Arild Remmereit, in an article intriguingly titled Tchaikovsky and Mozart; potatoes and cod. Click here to view the Gathering Note article and video.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=27 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=26 Program Includes Visionary Pianist Gabriela Montero Performing Mozart Norwegian conductor Arild Remmereit will join Seattle Symphony November 19-22 as one of several guest conductors to lead the Orchestra this season. The program will begin with Irgens-Jensen's Partita Sinfonica, followed by... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=26 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=25 Mara Gearman, a member of our outstanding viola section, has a great website with information about her upcoming performances and a plethora of pictures. Click here to visit maragearman.net.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=25 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=24 Click here to view the odeonquartet picture gallery. These pictures are from recent peformances at the Earshot Jazz Festival and in Odessa, Ukraine. Formed in 1999, odeonquartet (their preferred spelling) is comprised of distinguished artists who are dedicated to presenting concerts of the... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=24 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=23 Zach Carstensen of the Gathering Note reviews two of the Seattle Symphony's concerts in the last week. Click here to read the Gathering Note's review of the Seattle Symphony's performance with the stunning Leonidas Kavakos. Click here to read the Gathering Note's review of the Seattle... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=23 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=22 Bernard Jacobson reviews the October 24th Morlot concert for the Seen and Heard International Concert Review. Click here to read the review... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=22 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=21 Principal Oboe Ben Hausmann to Showcase Talents in Martinů Oboe Concerto The young, dynamic French conductor Ludovic Morlot will make his Seattle Symphony debut as the first of several guest conductors to lead the Orchestra this season. The program will begin with Prokofiev's... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=21 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=20 The Gathering Note's Zach Carstensen chats with Ludovic Morlot. Morlot is guest conducting at the Seattle Symphony, October 22nd - 24th. Click here to read the article... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=20 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=19 Day one in the Grand Canyon is a glorious display of sunshine, spectacular rock walls, and shimmering water. Fitted with life jackets and given a short briefing by the crew leader, four Seattle Symphony musicians embark on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling 226 miles on the Colorado River.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=19 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=18 Michael Crusoe our wonderful SSO timpanist is featured in the Seattle Weekly article "Kettle to the Metal", by Gavin Borchert. Gavin writes about something we see every day, that Mike is one of the best reasons to hear the SSO. Click here to view "Kettle to the Metal"... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=18 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=17 The Seattle Symphony has lost a board chair and gained a search committee, all in one day. Susan Hutchison, the current board chair, has decided to run for King County Executive, which means she will step down from the key Symphony... Click here to read this Crosscut article... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=17 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=16 A retired 81-year-old former Seattle Symphony trombone player decided the forest he raised and tended since he was a teenager should never be developed. So he has gifted development rights to 176 acres of forestland on Whidbey Island, worth about $1.5 million, to the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, to... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=16 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=15 Download this issue: Backstage Magazine - Spring/Summer 2008 Touring Musicians...California sun - The Seattle Symphony tour of Southern California in April took the musicians to Santa Barbara, Palm Desert, San Diego and Los Angeles (Royce Hall on UCLA campus). Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=15 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=14 The Seattle Symphony has launched a blog for the 2008 SummerFest, June 26 - July 14, with Mark O'Connor. It's a fun, informative blog with a lot of interesting posts. The blog is located at http://summerfest2008.wordpress.com.... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=14 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=13 In 2005 Seattle Symphony Principal Tuba Chris Olka coordinated a series of Brass Masterclasses for Seattle area brass players of all ages and abilities. David Gordon (principal trumpet), Jeff Fair (assistant principal horn), Ko-ichiro Yamamoto (principal trombone), Steve Fissel (bass trombone) and... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=13 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=12 Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel has taken the classical music world by storm. The 27-year-old director of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra of Sweden will take the reins one of America's greatest orchestras, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=7&ni=12 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=11 The 2008-09 season has been announced! Highlights include the rarely-performed Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand, Richard Strauss' rousing Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), Rimsky-Korsakov's beloved Scheherazade and much, much more. Among the many treats in store for you are performances by... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=8&ni=11 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=1 Welcome to the new and improved SSOPO website. As you make your way around this new site I hope you will experience many of the ways that we are striving to make it useful, as well as informative to our audience, patrons and other visitors. Look Around As you look around the site you... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=1 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=10 Seattle Chamber Players, whose members consist of three key players from the Seattle Symphony: violinist Mikhail Shmidt, cellist David Sabee, clarinetist Laura DeLuca with flutist Paul Taub (Cornish College of the Arts faculty) and artistic advisor, Elena Dubinets (SSO's newly appointed artistic... http://www.ssopo.org/news.html?cat=1&ni=10