Atlanta musicians announce free public concerts

In a statement just released, the musicians say that talks have resumed with the management but make no mention of the involvement of a mediator. The players are angry that the ASO won’t let the season start while negotiations continue – the play-and-talk option.

Release follows.

Atlanta, GA September 23rd, 2014

The ATL Symphony Musicians deeply regret management’s unnecessary decision, instead of ending the lockout, to cancel opening night and the first six weeks of the ASO’s 70^th Anniversary season.  ASO management has returned to the bargaining table with the musicians and refused to even discuss a play and talk agreement as the musicians proposed.  They clearly aim to starve out the musicians and break our will.

The ATL Symphony Musicians will respond to this cancellation in the manner we know best – with world-class symphonic music – the type that won Atlanta 27 Grammy Awards.

Beginning this Friday evening, September 26^th, the musicians will begin to hold free concerts for Atlantans. The concert this Friday night will be at the Kennesaw State University’s Bailey Performance Center.  We will hold two back-to-back concerts, at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. These concerts will replace a previously planned concert of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at KSU on the same night. (See program details below)

The public concerts of the ATL Symphony Musicians will welcome guest conductors and guest artists from around the world who stand in solidarity with the Musicians in their struggle to preserve Atlanta’s world-class, Grammy award winning Orchestra.

In addition, the ATL Symphony Musicians Foundation http://www.atlsmfoundation.org/ will immediately begin fundraising to pay for more free concerts for the public.  For as long as the lockout is in place, each time the ATL Symphony Musicians Foundation raises $30,000, the Foundation will fund a free public concert.  Donations of any amount can be accepted online at http://www.atlsmfoundation.org/.  The ATL Symphony Musicians Foundation will also accept contributions from corporations and philanthropists who want to sponsor special public concerts featuring the ATL Symphony Musicians.

This Friday’s program will include works of Dvorak and Beethoven conducted by renowned Maestro Michael Palmer, a familiar and beloved part of the history of the orchestra, having started his career in Atlanta with Robert Shaw over 40 years ago.  The Musicians are grateful for the opportunity to perform in the face of the WAC’s unconscionable effort to  put a lockout in place rather than the Orchestra in its place on stage for its 70th season.

The ATL Symphony Musicians will also perform a dress rehearsal at 4pm on September 26th in the Bailey Center, exclusively for the students and staff of Kennesaw State University.

Admission is free; donations will be gratefully accepted for ATL Symphony Musicians.