This past Sunday’s Columbus Dispatch profiles three musicians from the troubled Columbus Symphony: principal trumpeter Justin Bartels, violinist Joyce Fishman, and principal flutist Randy Hester.
Here’s the set up from the article, the complete version of which you can read here:
If the Columbus Symphony — facing a $1.5 million deficit after a record deficit of $2.2 million the previous season — were cut from 53 to 31 full-time players and its number of performances were reduced, the lives of musicians would change.
Some could continue as full-time players, while others might be engaged on a per-concert basis only.
The downsizing proposal by the symphony board and management will be discussed between now and the end of August, when the musicians’ contract expires.
Under that contract, the annual salary for a full-time orchestra member ranges from about $55,000 to about $110,000.
The Dispatch recently caught up with three symphony musicians of various ages and experiences, looking at their lifestyles and their love for what they do.
One reply on “columbus – a personal view”
I studied with Mr. Hester (yes, on flute) for a couple years…
I hope the situation works out in the benefit of the musicians.