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.