Draft:Florida Symphony Orchestra

Florida Symphony Orchestra

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.

The Florida Symphony Orchestra played its last concert in 1993 after its Board of Directors voted to dissolve the organization in 1993.

Music Directors

·Yves Chardon 1950-1954 See above ·Frank Miller 1954-1959 ·Henry Mazer ·Pavle Despalj 1970 - 1981 ·Sidney Rothstein 1981-1985 ·Kenneth Jean 1985-1993

Orchestra Labor Relations

The FSO musicians were represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 389 Orlando. The Orchestra was a member of ICSOM.

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.

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.