Since September 27, musicians of the San Antonio Symphony have been on strike. The SAS Society declared an impasse on September 26, imposing a final offer that cut the orchestra's core size from 72 to 42 musicians. (Source: SA Current) Read on for coverage of the dispute, and other stories and people in the news.
 
New seasons launch amidst a federal election andCanada votes an ongoing pandemic. Here are stories we're following...  
 

Federal election platforms

The Canadian Arts Coalition compiled arts and culture platforms from five parties, together with a CPAC debate on challenges facing the cultural sector. The debate is viewable in the original French, and in English translation.

 

Leadership changes

The Toronto Symphony announced that CEO Matthew Loden will resign as of Sept. 22, Ludwig Van reports. Loden joined the TSO in 2018, and will return to Texas as Dean of the Shepherd School at Rice University. 

The Calgary Philharmonic appointed Marc Stevens as President and CEO, the Calgary Herald reported. Stevens most recently served as General Manager of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. 

The Montreal Gazette reported that the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal's new music director, Rafael Payare, tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-August, as did his wife, cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Both were vaccinated and had minimal symptoms. 

Ruth Budd, OCSM founder

Ruth Budd died on June 30, 2021 at age 97. This interview by Matt Heller was published in Una Voce, April 2013.

Before there was an OCSM or a Symphony Six, there was a school orchestra in Winnipeg with a problem. “The person who was playing the bass either broke his leg or his arm on the football field,” recalls Ruth Budd, who was a 16-year-old violinist at the time. “The conductor said, ‘Who would volunteer?’ and I said I would! He said, ‘Don’t be silly. You know a girl couldn’t play the bass.’”

May 2021: Conductors on the move, musicians host radio, and institutions building back better. Photo: Conductor Nicolas Ellis

 Conductor Nicolas Ellis

It is now almost an entire year since I last played an orchestral concert. I believe this is the longest I’ve gone without playing one in my entire post-pubescent life.


This week, more on how COVID-19 has affected the arts in general and musicians in particular; the streaming wars; the Metropolitan Opera furlough; and the death of James Levine. (Image: from Toronto Symphony/Against the Grain Theatre's Messiah/Complex)

Image from TSO/AGT's Messiah/Complex

by Michelle Zapt-Belanger

 

In April 2020, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra held two entirely digital, contactless auditions.

by Robert Fraser, OCSM President

 

It is difficult to believe the OCSM executive last met face to face in Toronto on February 22–23, 2020, just over a year ago.

by Matt Heller, with Tamsin Johnston and Miles Newman

 

When it comes to Collective Agreements (CAs), there’s one thing to note about notice: it’s everywhere. You could fill a rather large spreadsheet with all the notice requirements from an average CA, (If you do this, please send it to me.) So let’s start by getting more specific.

OSM MD Designate Rafael PayareThis week: taking stock amid the crisis; notable performances; and a new MD in Montreal.