The Florida Symphony Orchestra ("FSO") was a full time professional American Orchestra based in Orlando Florida. The FSO was a member of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians ("ICSOM") and its musicians were covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the FSO and the American Federation of Musicians ("AFM") For 43 years, the FSO played music for audiences throughout central and south central Florida. The Orchestra played its final concert in 1993.
History
The Florida Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1950 by Helen Ryan and Joy Hawley, with an initial projected budget of $30,000. The FSO's first Music Director was Paris born conductor, Yves Chardon. Helen Ryan was the first President of the FSO. [1] [2]
The Florida Symphony Orchestra played its last concert in 1993 after its Board of Directors voted to dissolve the organization in 1993. [3]
Music Directors
·Yves Chardon 1950-1954 See above ·Frank Miller 1954-1959 ·Henry Mazer ·Pavle Despalj 1970[4]- 1981 ·Sidney Rothstein 1981-1985 ·Kenneth Jean 1985-1993[5]
Associate Conductors
Alfred Savia 1978-1985 Michael Krajewski
Orchestra Labor Relations
The FSO musicians were represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 389 Orlando. The Orchestra was a member of ICSOM. [6]
During the FSO's 43 year history, the musicians of the FSO engaged in two labor strikes.
1984 Strike
In November 1984, the FSO musicians went on strike for higher salaries and a longer season. The musicians went on strike after the FSO board of directors withdrew its own 3-year contract offer that had been agreed upon at the negotiating table. The AFM filed an unfair labor practice with the NLRB. The strike ended after one week after the original 3-year offer was reinstated. The AFM dropped the unfair labor charges. The resulting 3-year agreement increased the FSO's season from 32 weeks to 39 weeks. [7]
1990-1991 Strike
In October 1990, the FSO musicians went on strike for higher wages and improved benefits especially to obtain dependent health care coverage for musician families. The bitter strike lasted 17 weeks and ended when the musicians ultimately accepted an offer from the FSO that the musicians had previously rejected. During the strike dozens of concerts in Orlando and central florida were cancelled, the annual performance of the Nutcracker Ballet by the Southern Ballet was performed without the FSO providing live music, recorded music being substituted. However, the musicians of the FSO continued to serve as the orchestra for the Orlando Opera having negotiated a separate agreement with the Orlando Opera for the duration of the strike. [8][9][10]
1993 End of Operations and Final Concert
The FSO never recovered from the effects of the 1990-1991 strike. Due to financial problems, the FSO Board of Directors voted to shut down the FSO and cease operations in 1993. The orchestra played its final concert in April 1993. [11] Florida Symphony Orchestra[12]
- ^ "Music: Surprise Symphony". Time Magazine. 30 March 1953. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Miss Ryan is Honored by Winter Park Hostess". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. 19 February 1954. p. 19. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Directors Order FSO Shutdown". Orlando Sentinel. 1 April 1993. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "People;Sibling Musicality". The New York Times. 31 October 1981. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Chicago Conductor to Accept Orlando Job". Orlando Sentinel. 14 June 1986. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "ICSOM Previous ICSOM Orchestras". International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians. ICSOM. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Sandla Resigns as FSO Director". Orlando Sentinel. 11 December 1985. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "FSO Musicians Are Playing for Time, Money". Orlando Sentinel. 18 November 1990. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ "FSO, Striking Players Plan News Conference Today". Orlando Sentinel. 30 January 1991. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Fleming, John (15 September 1992). "Financially Out of Tune". Tampa Bay Times. p. 4. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Brown, Steven. "Crescendo of Determination: Philharmonic's Bright Future". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Orlando Philharmonic Takes Martha Haynie to the Movies". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 3 September 2024.