In class several weeks ago, there was a somewhat heated debate over the DSO and what would happen if their salaries were slashed. Some people in class said that a reduced salary would have little to no effect on the caliber of the orchestra, under the argument that these musicians can't just go out and find other jobs at their convenience.
To summarize the article above: A few weeks ago, the DSO had 3 full-time percussionists (there is a vacant 4th spot which was not filled before the strike). Once it became clear that there was no end in sight to the strike, these players went out and took auditions with other major orchestras. They won. They now have new jobs in different high-paying orchestras.
I'm not trying to start a fight here, nor am I saying that I even agree 100% with the musicians. I'm just saying that to assume that a drastic salary slash will have little to no effect on the orchestra simply isn't true. The percussion section just proved it. These are some of the most talented musicians in the country. The odds of them winning big jobs when the positions open are extremely high, since Detroit is a big job and they were obviously good enough to win that one in the first place.
If the DSO has any chance of survival, some sort of agreement has to be reached. Someone has to give. The musicians think it has to be the management. The management thinks it has to be the musicians. As I am gaining insight into the arts administration world, I can see how this would easily occur. However, both sides just going back and forth saying they are right and the other is wrong is getting them nowhere. If something doesn't change soon, there will be no more DSO. Fortunately, most of the DSO musicians will have found employment elsewhere :)
*like* What orchestras did they join?
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