The problem of the cost of players' transportation is, indeed, serious, being a great handicap against players from the West seeking positions in Eastern orchestras, and vice versa. It seems to me that this could best be resolved with a 10 day audition period for all orchestras signatory to A.F. of M. agreements, beginning the 1st of June. This would enable players to make one circuit of the auditions basically on one return air fare. Although the music business is not organized m a similar manner with regard to hiring, the uniform hiring period has been proven to be viable. One serious problem this raises, however, is that it would further increase the already great difficulty that incumbent players have in moving to better positions in other orchestras.
Management has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo .
It will be necessary for the players to unite and themselves, restructure the entire contract methodology, making overall procedures uniform before a truly adequate solution can be found. Until that time, all revisions in procedure are purely cosmetic. Often, groups of persons who truly enjoy working together will remain contentedly in lower paid positions in return for musical satisfaction, which was a rare commodity during my active performance years. Scouting, of Conservatories, Music Festivals, etc., would uncover potential personnel appropriate to the anticipated needs of the orchestra. Should an orchestra decide to hold auditions in a distant city, for an announced opening, adequate acoustic environments should be required . . .