We are constantly strategizing to make our orchestras healthy. Precious little of any strategy has much to do with the actual health of the musicians in per-service orchestras, which are the majority of the League member orchestras. I wonder if this is something that needs a forum on a state or even national level. Certainly it can start in a small way at the Orchestra management level….
This past weekend I had the pleasure of working with the West Virginia Symphony and on Saturday had lunch with several musicians, most of whom travel from far and wide to play in Charleston. I was reminded of just how tough it can be for the musician who makes a living by having to be a member of numerous orchestras, subbing when they can get the work where they live, along with private teaching. There was no complaining, in fact just the opposite with many funny and personal stories shared (Jason Heath has many great stories, this one from last week is priceless). I admire how they deal with their reality and their goal for a full time position. Auditions were a big point of discussion but so too was health coverage.
At the reception after the Saturday concert I talked with Dawn Ginter the orchestra’s Assistant Concertmaster. Both Dawn and Amelia Chan the Concertmaster would make a dynamic 1st stand in any orchestra, young, vibrant and fabulous players. Dawn and her husband both are freelancers living in Pittsburgh and are on the audition circuit. Their reality is that with health insurance being so prohibitive, there’s a constant concern that even with the bare minimum calamity coverage they do have (it’s all they can afford), a major illness or accident would leave them with a huge debt to pay off. I would think this would be a worry for many musicians especially since while recovering, how does one earn the money to pay the debt off? Musicians bring that pressure with them when they step up to audition. It’s not just about fighting for a job, but also fighting for their lives, and even the financial ability to start a family.
There’s a big challenge here because for per service orchestras like Springfield and West Virginia, the margins to break even are so tight, and musicians may be members and listed on the web-site all the time, but they are only actually physically present between 30 and 60 days a season, plus with those who are members of multiple orchestras, how would we share health responsibilities, especially across state lines? Is it our responsibility?
It’s a fact that a musicians performance is vital to our success, and we should all do as much as we can for them, whilst bringing this issue up on an industry wide level to address it properly, and to try and come up with solutions. I thought of some inexpensive ideas to start with at the Orchestra level:
- One thing that’s been happening at our concerts in Springfield for quite some time (even before I got here), is that two masseuses come to donate their time to work on the musicians before the concert and at intermission (there’s always a line!). If someone tweaks something, it’s good to have them right there to help.
- We all look for sponsorships from hospitals and the medical community, how about inquiring when asking for support on whether doctor residents or any doctors (many of whom might be subscribers) can donate any time to act as a “team doctor” and even make some regular time available gratis so a musician can visit if there is a problem. Same goes for Dentists, even Physical Therapists
- We could talk to a nearby fitness club to ask for visiting musician memberships as an in kind donation, or even to set up some stretching classes at the hall or rehearsal venue.
- I have seen a lot of donuts and unhealthy foods being offered as snacks in between services and at breaks (I will admit to indulging now and again). We could also offer healthy alternatives so there’s a choice.
- Making sure that a list of restaurants that have healthy choices as part of their menus are put in the musicians packet. We could even try to get a healthy eating place to donate coupons to give musicians an incentive to eat healthy, because it means they would get to keep more of their per diem!
- “Fast Food Filharmonic” a term used by musicians driving to and from cities late at night finding only fast food places open. You are not always going to prevent someone from ordering the Baconator (which should be served on a gurney to save time!), but it would be helpful to keep an up to date list of the food choices available at major exits, and even list the healthier choices available from the fast food places so that musicians are aware of the choices. Sometimes you see a sign and you don’t know if it’s the last place before your destination, especially on run-outs to unfamiliar places.
To the larger issue, the fact is, there are more per service orchestras that don’t offer health coverage for their musicians than full time or multiple week orchestras that do (of course there are more per service orchestras). There more union member musicians who play in per-service orchestras than in full time orchestras. I have heard of a small health premium being paid but since it’s per service it does not amount to any real coverage. A musician needs to be healthy the week before any paid services to be able to practice don’t they?
Since this is a problem that effects all groups that have a vested interest in an orchestra, could a collaborative effort take place between the Orchestras, Arts Councils the League and the AFM or even an independent group be established to examine the broad subject of musicians health coverage, and how it can be made affordable for those who don’t have it, especially for those musicians who are both members of both a union and a league member orchestra. Does something exist already that addresses this or has it been tried before? I know health care is a big subject for the entire nation, but with the pressure that it already takes to perform at ones best and with our expectations for great performances, it certainly would be in our best interests to not only care for the health of our orchestras but also the health of our orchestra musicians, since they are the orchestra!
This is me with Luke Zyla 2nd Horn in the West Virginia Symphony. He was Drew McManus’s junior high school Band director!
The problem of health care is a huge one for so many in the US, not just freelance musicians. Many people have to “freelance”, working several part-time positions to make ends meet. Gone are the days when you can get a good paying job with benefits at the local industrial plant. This is the year when our vote for president will mean more than ever before. I hope all musicians will vote responsibly.
Luke has a good point and that’s speaking as a self-employed person who pays for 100% of his (and his wife’s) health insurance. If you look beyond the social issues related to the issue, a number of orchestras struggling with their annual budget’s will see some significant relief if they don’t have to shoulder as much of their health care expenses. For big budget groups, that means staffers will receive better benefits and for smaller budget groups, all of those per service musicians won’t have to decide between health insurance and food.
The business will (hopefully) see a reduction in work related repetitive stress injuries and an overall increase in artistic cohesion due to reduced numbers of missed services due to health reasons. It’s not going to happen overnight but I hope to see it in my lifetime.
On a personal note, it’s wonderful to see a picture of Luke and hear about Ron’s experiences with the WVSO – this is a prime example of why it’s good thing that this is a small business!
Addressing The Heath Care Quagmire Head-On
Ron Spigelman posted an excellent article over at Sticks and Drones on 3/17/2008 which examines the frustrating issue of heath care benefits. The article is particularly thought provoking in that Ron examines the issue of health care benefits from the
Single-payer, single-payer, single-payer. Failing that, some kind of state-by-state musicians’ health insurance pool, partially funded by organizations and partially by individuals.