An Independent Journal for Members of the American Federation of Musicians
They held the curtain for 15 minutes, of course,
so more people could get to the concert!Which means that...
It Could Have Been MUCH Worse
According to the National Weather Service (on 11/18), the November storm outbreak killed 35 people.
(http://205.156.54.206/com/nwsfocus/fs111802.htm)
In Canton, rain was pouring down; winds were fierce.
Many people were sitting in their cars in the parking lot outside the hall.
Sirens had been going off all around town for some time. At least one funnel cloud sighting had been reported elsewhere in Stark County. Radio stations were urging people to seek proper shelter. The orchestra's management knew about the tornado WARNING (not a mere tornado watch). The people in the MOVIE theater in Van Wert were evacuated on the basis of such a warning. The Canton Symphony's piccolo player was still at home in a corner of the basement with her children.
Management announced that the curtain would be held.
Did they tell one person, audience member or musician, to go to the basement, or to an inside hallway?
What do you think?
Not victims of the usual sort of orchestral musician low self-esteem, or perhaps just to kill time, many of the musicians did go to the basement on their own.
Eventually the piccolo player made it. Though it is uncertain whether it was of her own volition or whether she was "sweet-talked" into braving the elements.unionmuse.com January 19, 2003
Minor revision 2/13
