To: All Musicians of ROPA and the AFM
From: The ROPA Executive Board
CALL TO ACTION: COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC
The Musicians of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic (CSP) have been without a contract and compensation for eleven months since they were furloughed and the remaining four years of their contract were cancelled by the board and CEO in September 2020. Management is currently demanding that musicians bargain a new contract with regressive terms rather than honoring the agreement management already signed which was not due to expire until July 2024.
It is essential that the musicians of the Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA) respond whenever and wherever our members are in need. We are asking for donations in support of the CSP Musicians and their Local, and letters of support for the Musicians to be sent to the Colorado Springs Philharmonic management (see information below). It is through our united network of orchestras that we can financially support and effectively articulate to our managements that a move against one of us is a move against all of us. Let this serve as a *CALL TO ACTION* for our membership. The unity and generosity of all ROPA musicians, along with our brothers and sisters of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM), the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM), the Recording Musicians Association (RMA), the Theatre Musicians Association (TMA) and throughout the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has been an inspiration to our members and a cautionary tale to our managements.
The musicians in Colorado Springs are facing the very real possibility of another season with no guarantee of compensation. Additionally, the Pikes Peak Musicians Association (PPMA), Local 154 AFM, has incurred over $30,000 in expenses to defend their contract, while suffering a reduction in revenue, due to the absence of symphonic work dues during the pandemic. The musicians have raised over $10,000 to date from their supporters in the Pikes Peak Region, including a significant lead gift from their music director, Josep Caballé Domenech.
The response of our ROPA, ICSOM, and OCSM orchestras, TMA and RMA Player Conferences, and the AFM to *Calls to Action* makes a tangible difference in the lives of our musician colleagues. Now the musicians of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic need your help. What happens in Colorado Springs affects us all. If we respond effectively to every Call, we demonstrate the power in collective action as we spread the powerful community message of the musicians of ROPA, ICSOM, OCSM, TMA, RMA, and the AFM.
The ROPA Executive Board
Please send donations to:
Checks can be made payable to: CSPO Players Assembly or Pikes Peak Musicians Association:
Mail address:
Pikes Peak Musicians Association
1934 Wynkoop Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Give via Paypal (click on logo):
Or Donate Via Go Fund Me
Other ways to help:
Write to Nathan Newbrough, President and CEO, Colorado Springs Philharmonic at Nat…@csphilharmonic.org or call 719-344-2447.
For details, additional information on issues, schedule of upcoming free concerts and more, please visit https://www.coloradospringsphilmusicians.com/
Follow them or stream concerts, generously sponsored by MPTF, at https://www.facebook.com/CSPMusicians