Musicians of the Spokane Symphony http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/ Today, we’ll take a look back at a selection of the activities we used to do in the past. We’ll also share some of our stories about how experiences like this in our own childhoods shaped our paths in becoming professional musicians. “We believe orchestral music nurtures the human spirit, enhances the quality of life and is integral to the preservation and development of culture. The Spokane Symphony is dedicated to providing high quality, professional orchestral performances and education to the Inland Northwest for the purpose of enriching and transforming lives through music.” —Mission Statement of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra In recent years, our organization has become more focused on traditional concert experiences at the Fox Theater, relying on our audiences to come to us. While an essential... Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2024-03-11-reaching-beyond-the-fox/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2024-03-11-reaching-beyond-the-fox/ What happened? The symphony, and everything else, shut down in March 2020, and we were furloughed in April 2020. We weren’t eligible for WA State Unemployment until the CARES Act was passed. Unemployment was difficult to access because our work is not traditional - many of us didn’t receive benefits until as late as August or September. After months of fighting to return to work, we negotiated an agreement with management for the 2020-2021 season. It was only for 20% of our normal season wages. The Musicians’ Relief Fund distributed community donations to those of us who were unable to survive on our reduced wages during this difficult time. While other orchestras around the country were adapting to restrictions and performing regularly, the only substantial work we did... Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-12-01-surviving-not-thriving/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-12-01-surviving-not-thriving/ Morihiko Nakahara is celebrating 20 years with the Spokane Symphony. He’s pictured here backstage during one of the many Nutcracker performances he has conducted with us. To read our interview with Morihiko, subscribe to our newsletter! In a unionized workplace like ours, anything that falls under wages, hours, and working conditions is subject to bargaining, and can be up for debate when it comes time to negotiate a new contract. We work together with our management and board to come to agreements on all kinds of issues beyond wages. There are a vast range of topics addressed in our contract that are specific to the nature of our work as performers. We’d like to take a moment to share a few of those with you today. All of... Sat, 21 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-10-21-beyond-wages/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-10-21-beyond-wages/ A quick update: We’ve come to an agreement on our contract for this season, 2023-24. While we continue to be frustrated with recurring one-year agreements, lost wages to inflation and covid, and a lack of commitment to our future in this organization, we are pleased to agree on changes to our dress (read on below!). We will be back at the bargaining table in less than a year and our quest for better wages and working conditions continues. We’ll go into more detail about this in future posts. Please stay in touch to hear more from us throughout the year. Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a post. If you come to our Masterworks 2 concerts this weekend, you might notice there are no tails!... Sat, 07 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-10-07-losing-our-tails/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-10-07-losing-our-tails/ If you were to see our work schedules, it looks like we only work 2.5 hours per day, either one rehearsal or one concert. Sometimes we have two rehearsals in a day, or a rehearsal and a concert, for a total of 5 hours. In a Masterworks concert week, like this one, we are together every evening and spend 17.5 hours in rehearsals and concerts at the hall. Part time, right? In reality, we’ve already spent many hours on our own time maintaining our skills and preparing our music for this specific program. Some players, like oboists, clarinetists, and bassoonists, may spend many more hours making reeds. They have to do this for every concert. By the first rehearsal we are performance ready on our individual parts. We... Sat, 16 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-16-part-time/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-16-part-time/ Read on to learn more about us, the Musicians of the Spokane Symphony. - Did you know? Musicians are hard workers Musicians are paid professionals We have moved to Spokane from all over the world for this job - see our map of hometowns here! We have been practicing since we were children We have a similar level of professional training to doctors and lawyers We are responsible for providing and maintaining our instruments, which can cost thousands of dollars each year We prepare for rehearsals and concerts outside of paid working hours In addition to performing, we serve students at our local colleges, in the public schools, and as private teachers We have our own union to maintain integrity and high standards in our workplace HEAR US To maintain the professional-level orchestra that we have built, we need: Wages that reflect... Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-welcome/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-welcome/ How many students do we reach every week? - Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-teaching-stats/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-teaching-stats/ A snapshot of how Principal Bassist Patrick McNally begin his professional music career - How many years have you been a member of the Spokane Symphony? I have been with the SSO for 14 years. How old were you when you began learning bass? I was 10 when I started playing the bass, but I had started trumpet the year before in school. I was offered free lessons with the local youth orchestra to start the bass and play in the beginners’ group. How old were you when you decided to pursue a career in music? I was 17, senior year of high school. Maybe later than most, but I was sitting in rehearsal with the Chicago Youth Symphony and thought I should do this for a living because I loved it so much. What help did you receive when you were... Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-Patrick/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-Patrick/ A musician of the SSO for 48 years - How many years have you been a member of the Spokane Symphony, and do you have additional work outside of the Symphony? I have been a member of the Spokane Symphony for 48 years. For most of my career with the Spokane Symphony I taught instrumental music in the public schools, was an adjunct professor at Whitworth, a freelance musician, and a private percussion instructor. Now, it’s all of the above minus the public school teaching. Over the years I’ve done some of the Broadway touring shows (Sugar Babies, Man of La Mancha), supplemented the GU Orchestra and Choral concerts, played with Super Sparkle and Moko Jumbie, provided solo vibes background music for receptions and events, filled in for church worship groups and recorded and released out my... Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-Bryan/ http://www.spokanesymphonymusicians.org/2023-09-01-Bryan/