As of June 17, 2019, the musicians of the Baltimore Symphony have been locked out. At the AFM 101st Convention earlier this month, the body unanimously passed an Emergency Resolution condemning the Baltimore Symphony’s lockout of its orchestra. Locals from far and wide stepped up to support the musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and their local as they face a lock-out and the threat of drastic cuts.
An urgent message from the ICSOM Governing Board:
After more than a year of talking and playing, countless hours of community outreach and even securing a pledge of $3.2 million dollars from the Maryland State Legislature, the musicians were stunned two weeks ago when management disingenuously cancelled the summer season; and now, management has decided to employ the vilest of labor tactics to get what it wants. Management is demanding that the season be cut from 52 to 40 weeks—with devastating effects on the musicians’ annual salary—and that the number of musicians in the orchestra be reduced.
It is essential that the musicians of ICSOM respond whenever and wherever our members are in need. It is through our united network of orchestras that we can effectively articulate to our managements that a move against one of us is a move against all of us. Let this serve as a CALL TO ACTION for our membership. The unity and generosity of all ICSOM musicians, along with our brothers and sisters in ROPA, OCSM, RMA, TMA and throughout the AFM has been an inspiration to our members and a cautionary tale to our managements.
The support of our ICSOM orchestras in these Calls to Action has been extraordinary and makes a tangible difference in the lives of our fellow musicians. Now the musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra need your help. What happens in Baltimore affects us all. If we respond effectively to every call, we demonstrate the power in collective action as we spread the positive community message of the musicians of ICSOM.
Thank you for your generosity.
Meredith Snow, Chair
The ICSOM Governing Board
Checks made payable to:
Baltimore Symphony Musicians, Inc.
Please send donations to:
Greg Mulligan
Co-Chair, Baltimore Symphony Players Committee
11955 Long Lake Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
