FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peter Haas and Chandler Teague: Musicians ask symphony board to reconstitute with members offering 'fresh ideas'

May 17, 2008 - Shreveport Times

The musicians of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra wish to thank the Shreveport/Bossier community for their generosity in making the recent Gala a huge success. Once again the community has proven that it wants, and is willing to support, a high level of culture in this region. This is reminiscent of 1997 when, in less than one week, the community rallied to contribute almost $120,000 to “make the difference”. This show of support helped move the SSO in a positive direction and disproved the Board’s claim that the community was not willing to fund the orchestra.

More than ten years later the SSO sings the same old song! Despite management’s implications to the contrary, there is no bank debt and as of April 16, they are projecting a budget surplus of $97,705.00! As well, the SSO’s continued misstatement that they are offering a “wage increase” purposely misleads the reality that full-time musicians’ annual wage is proposed to decrease by 75%.

The musicians, without reservation, appreciate the support of the entire community. We agree with SSO board members Libby Siskron and Berte Muslow that the SSO belongs to the community and should expand its visibility and donor base, and further, expand board governance deeper into the Shreveport/Bossier community. The SSO should not be reserved as a social outlet for a few but rather a cultural resource for all and supported by many; inclusive rather than exclusive.

On May 1, nine days prior to the Gala, the SSO presented another final offer, which changed little and complicated more. This offer was made subsequent to an appeal from Laura Crawford, wife of Interim Board Treasurer Ed Crawford, (a truly positive idea) urging increased gala support with an optimistic hope that success could save the full-time core. The musicians extended a gesture of good will to again extend the contract another year without a wage increase. Management proceeded to “heavy hand” this gesture with a demand to accept their proposal, which we believe will destroy the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

On January 9, 2008, the musicians unanimously adopted a resolution of no confidence in SSO Executive Director Scott Green. As well, the musicians asked the Board of Directors to reconsider its proposal to eliminate the full-time core and asked each board member to re-evaluate their support for the proposal. The board’s response was a motion of no confidence in the musicians, which fortunately was tabled!

We believe the Shreveport/Bossier community is willing and able to support an orchestra at least the size, if not larger, that currently exists. We also believe there are community leaders willing to govern such an organization. The musicians appreciate the past support and generosity of all members of the Board of Directors. We respectfully ask the members of the board who support the current proposal to step aside and let the board reconstitute itself and allow those current members of the board who believe in a progressive future to enlist the help and support of those leaders who desire to become members of the board and who will bring much needed “new” support, fresh energy, and ideas.

We once again thank our generous and appreciative community for your past, current, and continued support and understanding!

This opinion is that of the members of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra as represented by Peter Haas, chairman of the Orchestra Committee, and Chandler Teague, head of the Negotiations Committee.