Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Woodruff Arts Center Board Mum on Resuming Talks

That being the case, it’s not clear when the next round of negotiations will take place.

But it does appear the sides are 1.2 million dollars apart.

That’s the amount the Woodruff Arts Center board wants the musicians to increase in their concessions.

That would bring the total to 5.2 million over the next two years.

Jesse Rosen is the president and CEO of the league of American Orchestras.

He says the financial impasse between the ASO and Woodruff Arts is not unusual.

“In most cases, it’s the norm that orchestras are able to successfully negotiate management, musicians and boards to outcomes that create enough adaptation and change in the organizations to continue operating to sustain themselves.”

Rosen told WABE he believes both sides will eventually come to some agreement.

He recalls the impact on the city of Detroit when their orchestra went on strike for six months.

“It was on hard everybody; obviously it was hard on the musicians, it was very hard on the community, it was hard on the board and the institution. I mean in the short term, nobody wins in these things.”

The last time there was an ASO work stoppage was in 1996.

However, based on the recent exchange of press releases and statements neither side seems to know when negotiations will resume.

It may be too early for panicking but the 68^th season of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is set for October 4^th.

However, if the two sides can’t agree on a new labor agreement the season opening performance that’s to include Beethoven’s Violin Concerto won’t be played.