Hartford Symphony's Value Is Greater Than Its Music

Maybe in the Chorale; Not so in the HSO.

I've written a great deal about the Hartford Symphony, so much so that some might accuse me of ulterior motives. I have no skin in the game. I don't know anyone in the Hartford Symphony or the city of Hartford (unless you're talking about a loose connection with my auto insurance policy, issued by--drum roll please--the Hartford. I've never even been to Connecticut; some day I'll remedy that. I hope to be able to hear the Hartford Symphony.

But I thought I'd step away for a moment and allow someone "on the ground" offer his thoughts on the impasse (I think of it more as a crisis). This from Robert Thorson, a Professor at UConn's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in the Hartford Courant, January 6:

Prof. Robert Thorson

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra must not be silenced. Something must be done to clear the impasse between management and labor, or in this case between the symphony's board of directors and its unionized musicians.

My life would continue normally if the orchestra were muffled. But it would be diminished. Not because I attend many concerts. But because I would wake up each morning knowing that my state's capital city supports minor league Yard Goats, but not major league music....

Happily, the HSO impasse is less about music than money. This has always been the case with public orchestras. Indeed, the HSO was founded in 1934, not by a professional musician, but by a prominent local businessman, Francis Goodwin II, who understood the symbolic value of bringing a "real" orchestra to a rising city. And it was founded not by philanthropic largesse, but by a federally funded jobs creation program to help struggling musicians get through the Great Depression. The history lesson is clear. Public financial support is essential, then and now.

The board of directors wants to cut musician salaries by 30 percent. (Actually it is more than that.) In turn, the musicians claim that the root cause of financial trouble lies with the board's vision. Surely the truth lies in both camps. The musicians can hardly go on strike. And the board can hardly shift to another product line. We, as listeners, need them, as much as they need us.

Let the music continue.

Kuan, Is she this happy now?

Although Music Director Carolyn Kuan has offered to reduce her own salary, one has to wonder if that is enough. As the HSO made its final offer, Mara Lee reported on Friday that HSO Board Chairman Jeffrey Verney did not return a call for comment. Apparently, neither did "Artistic Director Steven Collins (who) declined to be interviewed about how the final offer differed from last week's comprehensive proposal."

One word about Kuan's benefits. They include a rental apartment, a rental car, and travel costs. From Ms. Lee's article: Kuan's salary in 2013, according to tax forms charities file, was just over $154,000, although she also received $24,240 in nontaxable benefits, including the cost of renting her apartment, automobile rental and travel costs. Kuan, who became the symphony's 10th music director in 2011, signed a six-year contract last year that begins in June. These are all things associated with the current "absentee landlord" type of conductor. Take several jobs but live wherever you like. Don't make a commitment to the community in which you serve and, in kind, serves you and your musicians.

Management continues to lament the difficulty in maintaining its donor base. Honestly, that shouldn't be difficult in a city with an much insurance money as Hartford. But, of course, who in their right mind would want to offer financial support to an organization that has proven itself an administrative nightmare and a financial black hole?

My thoughts? The musicians will cave because they have no choice. This obviously isn't a full-time job for an of them; those are reserved to the Music Director (who must have work elsewhere) and administrative personnel. We're not going to see "the day the music died" in Hartford, but it will certainly be performed by musicians who see the value of that work gravely diminished.

Kuan finally speaks up but says very little...

Carolyn Kuan

There have been no statements issued regarding the negotiations between the Hartford Symphony and its musicians. However, this appeared on the WNPR site this morning. Having been railing about this issue for days, I would be inclined to say, "It's about time." But really, is there anything of substance to this?

Statement From Carolyn Kuan, Music Director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra:

I have always believed that orchestras exist to serve their communities. I have been tremendously grateful for the support, enthusiasm, and dedication of our audience, donors, and community over the past five years.

It has been a privilege to work with the Hartford Symphony musicians, who are not only tremendous artists, but are also passionate, caring and beautiful human beings--on whom I can depend and for whom, I can be there. Together, along with our incredibly dedicated staff, it has been an honor to make a difference in our community. Making a difference: that has been what drives us as an organization, and I have always believed that if we do the right thing — serve the community — support will come.

In the past five years, we brought awareness to issues of conservation and environment with "Life: A Journey through Time." When Governor Malloy talked about Connecticut having a greater presence in China, "Yellow River Cantata" brought the China Consulate General to our stage, and the news of Hartford Symphony's performances was broadcast throughout China. We actively seek to serve and collaborate with local organizations from The Wadsworth (Coney Island exhibit, Sunday serenades and a variety of other programming), Hartford Stage (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Hartford Chorale, Goodspeed Opera, Nutmeg Ballet, The Hartt School, University of Connecticut, Farmington High School, Arthur Murray Dance Studios and countless others. We perform masterworks as well as introduce world-class artists of unusual instruments such as sheng, koto, kamancheh, bagpipe, beatboxing, and more. In our desire to serve Hartford, Playing with Food was created in response to Mayor Segarra's call for more people to visit downtown restaurants.

In ways both big and small, and with impacts ranging from artistic to societal, Hartford Symphony makes a difference in our community. It is our highest aspiration to continue our service: we want to do more and we can do more.

But first we must resolve our present contract challenges.

Given the urgency of the situation, I want to personally recognize the substantial cuts being asked of the musicians of the HSO and offer publicly to share their sacrifice by reducing my salary commensurately. I had intended to do this privately, but I am hopeful that making this gesture public might help, in a small way, to resolve the present crisis.

I truly love this orchestra and this community, and hope all of us who care about Greater Hartford, culture, and a higher human spirit can now come together to help, and find a fair and workable solution.

Most of this statement is full of empty platitudes and the conductor obviously doesn't choose to take a stance one way or the other. But we read that Carolyn Kuan is willing to take a 40% pay cut to keep the music playing? Forgive my cynicism, but I'll believe it when I see (or hear) it.

Bushnell: Show me the money!

As the Hartford Symphony approaches the (literal) zero hour, I've stepped back a bit from reading about last ditch efforts to save the HSO. Yesterday, I offered part of a letter from an HSO musician, trumpeter Jay Lichtmann, who wrote Mr. Fay has promised to use the Bushnell's development office to help raise funds for the symphony, but little has been done on this front. The orchestra's debts continue to mount while sizable new financial commitments have been made.

From Dictionary.com: Alliance; noun

1. the act of allying or state of being allied.
2. a formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations to cooperate for specific purposes.
3. a merging of efforts or interests by persons, families, states, or organizations: an alliance between church and state.
4. the persons or entities so allied.
5. marriage or the relationship created by marriage between the families of the spouses.
6. correspondence in basic characteristics; affinity: the alliance between logic and metaphysics.

This?

This "alliance" has always seemed to me to be one that could only benefit the Bushnell Center, while it actually should be the other way around. If the arts center and its CEO, David Fay, really cared about the future of orchestral music in Connecticut's state capital, the development office would have leapt into action. So far, there has been little, if any effort in this regard.

So it's not an alliance. Merriam Webster offers these "near antonyms": breakup, dissolution, disunion; division, parting, separation, severance, split; alienation, divorce, estrangement. But none of those work as they imply that there was a real "alliance" in place. 

Or this?

As the labor situation has continued to escalate and the threat of a shutdown is imminent (midnight tonight), I have begun to receive reports from sources close to the symphony. One writer, who wishes to remain anonymous, wonders why nothing has been written about the organization's endowment. Well here's an answer from the HSO's 2014 IRS 990 form which indicates "investment income" of $1.35 million. What that tells me is that there is a pile of money laying around somewhere collecting all that interest. 

N.B. If one digs just a little deeper into the 990 information (check out part X) one discovers total assets of $9.8 million, which includes over $9 million in investment securities.

Eschewing altruism, one has to wonder exactly what's in this alliance for Bushnell? My source asks, What was in it for that organization? What profits, pluses, benefits. If you analyze this situation it is obvious that the answer to above questions is: none. When the merger happened, Bushnell was presented as a savior. Here we had a ailing company (HSO) joining with a strong company in promoting and distributing the arts. It seemed that HSO was the ONLY side to reap all the benefits. My question exactly.

Among the selling points to the HSO in the "alliance" (increasingly it seems nothing of the kind) include development monies of which only about 25% of the promised total has materialized. The other strong selling point were the savings the Symphony would receive on hall rental, according to my source. The HSO paid up to $60,000 a week for Bushnell rental for its concerts. Another one? The HSO was to pay only small administration fees to the Bushnell, therefore it let go of several of its employees thus saving some money. 

The reality of the situation is staggering. The Symphony is STILL paying the $60,000 per week fee! The administrative costs paid to Bushnell are around $300,000 per year. The HSO is bleeding money which goes directly to Bushnell.... Interestingly enough, The three board members who pushed for merger the most resigned or "retired" from the board a the end of last season.

There seems to be a lot of money to be made,
but where is it going?

There's more to this but will require some real "boots on the ground" investigation.

Now, here is what I've gathered about Steve Collins, the Executive Director pro tem. (Let's call the position what it truly is....):

In the summer of 2015 the musicians and management were already in contract dispute, the new contracts were not issued, the donations were not coming in, the situation was dire. Yet, Steve Collins uproots his whole family, his freelance musician wife [If you don't know what freelancers make, talk to me] and two young children and moves them to Glastonbury where he buys a $450K house. It seems like unwise move, right? Some of you mentioned in the blog that Steve Collins is really "the man in charge".  I hope not, I hope he was just as misinformed and played with as musicians. The alternative is just too terrible to comprehend. Many of us know him from the times long ago when he was a musician and spoke a slightly different language. It will be interesting to know see what happens to Collins' career after the HSO is no more. If he stays with the Bushnell...well we will have our answer. It seems to me however that Mr. Collins is a puppet in Mr. Fay's hands.

Maybe I'm getting jaded in my old age. I have been around the block more than once, with educational institutions and a number of non-profits. As a shameless plug, if you want to help a musical organization get out of a hole, talk to me about that too.

If this is true, then the ED pro tem got a pretty sizable raise from his position in Waterbury. Of course, I don't know what $450K buys in Connecticut. Here in Dubuque, the city fathers and mothers spent that much on a public restroom (I wish I was kidding).

Dubuque's infamous $450K bathroom
No, the toilets are not gold plated...

One last point that I've been thinking about and my source also questioned involves educational programs, i.e. getting symphony musicians into the schools. I understand that there has been a lot of this in the past but not a single performance yet this year. If things in Connecticut work like things in Iowa, such programs are usually supported through grants from arts councils, corporations, foundations, etc. If this is the case, Bushnell is in violation of the terms of these grants. It's like restricted endowment funds; you can only use it for its intended (or "granted") purpose. Renege on that agreement and the money has to return to its original source.

This is one convoluted mess. On the one hand the HSO is getting ready to fold. On the other hand, Bushnell continues to reap profits on the back of the HSO and, in kind, its musicians. The real winner in this "alliance" (I really need a better word) is obvious and its not the orchestra, the musicians, nor the community.

In all of this, Mara Lee, writing for the Hartford Courant, tells us that Conductor Carolyn Kuan did not return a call requesting a comment. When Atlanta faced a long and ugly lockout, conductors Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles were adamant about the situation. Osmo Vanska almost single-handedly brought the Minnesota Orchestra Association to its senses and hastened the departure of then-ED Michael Hensen. And Carolyn Kuan (who just received a raise and a six-year contract extension) is mum.

Tomorrow is the Ides of January: sadly fitting....

Who's who in Hartford

When the "alliance" between the Bushnell Center for the Arts and the Hartford Symphony was originally announced in March 2014, Both groups were at pains to insist that (1) this was not a “merger” (both boards, for instance, would remain intact), and (2) that this new deal, which had been discussed on and off for years, was not being entered into, because the orchestra was “ailing.” (Steve Metcalf, WNPR, September 2014). It was further stated that David Fay, head of the Bushnell, would be both President and CEO of the orchestra (HSO) and interim CEO Carrie Hammond was relieved of her duties.

The Bushnell Center
Come Friday, will they need to drape it in black?

Metcalf also posed a number of questions, some of which have been--unfortunately it seems--already answered:

• Will the partnership result in new approaches to programming and repertoire?

• Is it realistic these days to hope for an increase in HSO activity, including performances outside the Bushnell itself?

• Will the hoped-for new administrative stability mean the HSO will be able to attract significant new donors?

Steve Metcalf

It must be pointed out that the orchestra was, in fact, "ailing" (floundering might be a better term). Donations were down, musicians had made large concessions in their 2010 CBA, and (apparently--although it can't be discovered in the symphony's IRS 990s) there were--and continue to be serious cash flow problems.

By the way, the answer to all of the above questions seems to be a resounding "No!"

But there's more. In attempting to answer all of these questions and sort out the stalemate between orchestra and Bushnell, one has to figure out who is really in charge. David Fay is listed as President and CEO of the HSO but appears to be a figurehead at best. The real "talking head" for the organization is Steve Collins, who was appointed Director of Artistic Operations and Administration (sounds like an Executive Director to me) for the HSO in August 2014. This appointment itself seems incongruous with the announced agreement between Bushnell and the HSO which noted, (in a press release directly from the HSO, March 2014) In addition to the back-office services, The Bushnell will provide principal management during the initial term of the arrangement, including fundraising, governance support and the services of David Fay, who will serve as an interim CEO for the HSO in addition to continuing his ongoing duties as CEO of The Bushnell.

Jay Lichtmann, a long-time (since 1982) trumpeter with the HSO, voiced concern over the "alliance" in an August letter to the Hartford Courant: Mr. Fay has promised to use the Bushnell's development office to help raise funds for the symphony, but little has been done on this front. The orchestra's debts continue to mount while sizable new financial commitments have been made. Music Director Carolyn Kuan has recently signed a six-year contract with a raise; the HSO is hiring an assistant conductor; and salaries and benefits of HSO administrative staff have been increased.

So the HSO shed itself of a real CEO and created a new position for Steve Collins, as well as raises for the conductor and HSO administrative staff (I thought Bushnell was the "administrative staff").

Steve Collins
Is HE in charge?

But really, who is Steve Collins? In this time of ready made information, one has to only turn to a LinkedIn profile.

A percussionist, Collins earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from the Hartt School, University of Hartford, in 1989. It's not readily apparent that he has ever held a professional position in that field. His employment history contains the following:

• 1994-2003: Project Manager, Collins Construction Company, New York/New Jersey. I cannot locate any current information for this company.

• 2003-2008: Consultant, various (no specifics listed): Worked with various orchestras to positively impact performance, innovate new programming, and streamline operations.

• 2003-2009: Education Director, New Haven (CT) Symphony. In most orchestras of this size, these kinds of positions are usually only part time, hence the overlap with "consulting".

• 2009-present (sic): Executive Director, Waterbury (CT) Symphony.

• August 2014 to present: Director of Artistic Operations & Administration, HSO.

Now, I'm all in on "experiential learning" in career advancement (in many ways, I am a product of the same), but it seems a huge leap from Education Director to basically the leader of a much larger organization. And, in terms of the management agreement originally announced in the press, Bushnell hasn't followed through in its end of the bargain. According to nearly everything that has appeared in the press, Collins seems to be the guy in charge.

There's so much more to report as all of the information is staggering. CEO Fay actually came to the Bushnell from the for-profit sector with actual degrees in communications (BA) Wheaton College, and theater arts (Northwestern). It appears that he still remains active outside the activities of the Arts Center, as there are numerous companies capitalizing on the Bushnell brand. But that has to be for another day.

The Board of Directors seems eerily quiet as does conductor Carolyn Kuan. She has said nothing about the crisis. After signing a new six-year contract extension she has lots of skin in the game. The only person (besides the musicians, and no one is talking to them) talking is Steve Collins and he's saying that $750,000 in wage cuts over four years (proposed by the musicians), didn't "begin to address the depth of the financial crisis." It's been made very clear that the "final" deadline is only two days away. That is when, according to Collins, the HSO (or is it Bushnell--my head is spinning) will determine "exactly how we proceed in shutting down the organization."

Michael Pollard

For now, I will let an HSO musician have the last word. From Michael Pollard, a violinist (since 1975) and negotiating committee member for the American Federation of Musicians, "It's a tragedy, really, it's a shame it had to come to this."

UPDATE: This just in from WNPR, via WBUR-Boston:

Steve Collins: Unfortunately, we see no alternative but to close the HSO if we can't reach a satisfactory agreement with the AFM that provides a stable financial platform. We have identified and committed to extensive reductions in overhead expenses and increased goals in fundraising that exceed the concessions we seek from the AFM. We are hopeful we can reach an agreement Thursday night and continue to maintain a commitment to good faith bargaining.

It is possible to go from band to worse: A Hartford Update

In the midst of the storm raging between the Hartford Symphony management (which is the Bushnell Center for the Arts) and its musicians, Steve Metcalf, of WNPR, wrote in response to the management threat to shut down, It’s hard to know what to say. One’s first impulse is to grab the key figures on both sides by the collar and throw them into a locked room and say: “Dammit, solve this!”

Yep. We saw the sign....

The major issue remains "guaranteed performances" for the orchestra's core musicians. Bushnell want to cut those by 30%. The effect on the musicians would be financially devastating. "Sadly enough, I take the shutdown threat as being real," Metcalf continues.

That was December 18. There is much more to Metcalf's column, but the news continues to worsen.

Mara Lee

Move forward to January 6 and Mara Lee's article in the Hartford Courant. She notes that, On Wednesday, he (Stephen Collins, the symphony's director of artistic operations and administration) said management has told the union that if there isn't an agreement in place by Jan. 15, the only decision left at that point is to determine "exactly how we proceed in shutting down the organization." Bushnell has not been forthcoming about the contents of any contractual proposal and, in fact, has refused comment to the Courant as well as outside arts consultants (including Drew McManus).

On January 7, musicians unanimously rejected the latest "offer" from Bushnell, which apparently has remained unchanged since negotiations began last spring. And yes, it has gone from bad to worse yet again. McManus reports that the proposed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) now contains a cancellation clause which, in a press statement issued by the musicians, “In essence, the contract would be a one sided affair binding the musicians but giving HSO management and Board the ability to walk away from their obligations.” Furthermore, Bushnell is now engaging in "regressive bargaining", something that has occurred all too frequently as arts organizations attempt to cripple their employees, “Now, in addition to asking the core musicians to take a 40% cut, management wants to cut income producing services and reduce work opportunities for all of the musicians.”

Bushnell's self-imposed deadline is January 15. The Ides of March could be coming early this year. What happens after that is anyone's guess. There appears to be no best case scenario for the musicians or the community.

ADDENDUM: Irony of ironies:

The Summer 2015 HSO newsletter, Quarter Notes, announced

• A new six-year extension of Conductor Carolyn Kuan's contract with the symphony. Of course, this was after the expiration of the musicians' CBA.

• Among things that are NEW at the HSO: Did you notice the new name of our newsletter?* Since we publish quarterly, the name “Quarter Notes” seemed more appropriate and a bit more “quirky.” We’ve even altered the graphics to depict a quarter note in place of the eighth note that used to be there and the HSO logo (a great logo) is now back. Now isn't that thrilling.

• Some kind of gala event entitled Bravo! (held in May) netted over $130K to support the HSO and its programs throughout the community. Wonder where that cash has gone...

Carolyn Kuan

I have also neglected to note that the HSO has created an Assistant Conductor position, a newly established post to (from the HSO website) assist Music Director Carolyn Kuan to extend the HSO’s community and educational outreach.  The latest IRS Form 990 (for the fiscal year ending in August 2014) indicates that Kuan received $154,369 in salary and another $24,240 in "other compensation." During this same period, the orchestra was over $450,000 in the black!

ONE MORE THING: In the "for what it's worth," David Fay, President and CEO of the Symphony (serving concurrently in the same positions with Bushnell) earned $374,521 plus $26,000 in the mysterious "other" category. This information found on Bushnell's 2014 990, found here. Several other Bushnell employees make in excess of $100,000 and Executive VP Ronna Reynolds clocks in at $217,829 plus an-"other" 37,554. Who says there's no money in non-profits?

Bushnell's David Fay
We'll be seeing more of him....