Posted by Jay Bertolet on October 23, 2000 at 09:27:19:
In Reply to: Unions, Florida Phil, Seattle Audition posted by Ralph on October 22, 2000 at 15:53:38:
Sorry it took so long to get back to you with a response. As you can imagine, things have been hectic here for some time now.
Regarding your questions, I will not be taking the Seattle audition. It is a great group of musicians (so I've heard) who made a hard choice for themselves in leaving the AFM. I can't really comment on the validity of that choice without knowing the circumstances that led up to it. It is an unenviable position they are in, being isolated as an ensemble with no backing from the Federation that unifies so many orchestras in this country and Canada. That would be my greatest fear, having no numbers to support my position should things go badly. Suffice it to say that the situation is not for me, though I don't begrudge those who choose to be a part of it. It is a very personal decision.