Atlanta Symphony president to address Buckhead Business Association as season is in limbo

The president of theAtlanta Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Stanley Romanstein, is scheduled as thefeatured speaker for the Buckhead Business Association Weekly Breakfast onThursday (September 27), two days after all performances during the month ofOctober may be cancelled if a contract standoff cannot be settled, according tonews reports today.

ASO head Dr., Stanley Romanstein

Romanstein has sent anemail to representatives for the orchestra players saying that, unless the twosides in the management/players stalemate can ratify a contract by Tuesday ofnext week, the October shows would be scrapped, according to an article in theFriday Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
That would include aperformance at New York’s Carnegie Hall, in which $110,000 is invested. The ASOstands to lose upwards of $300,000 by cancelling the October concerts. Themusicians, who have a starting salary of $88,000, also stand to lose thousandsof dollars each, according to the AJC article.
With just two weeksremaining before the stat of the ASO season, Romanstein’s visit next Thursdaymorning at 7:30 at the City Club of Buckhead will be very timely.  
The Thursday meeting willalso feature a BBA Speed Networking Session prior to Romanstein’s presentation,during which those attending the meeting try to negotiate some business fromothers sitting at their table. Speed Networking takes place during the first 15minutes of the BBA Weekly Breakfast on the fourth Thursday of each month.
“Dr. StanleyRomanstein is an accomplished non-profit executive with 22 years of leadershipand management experience in education and the arts,” notes Catherine Cattles,2012 President of the BBA.“  We look forward to hosting Dr. Romanstein asour featured speaker at the upcoming BBA breakfast.”
Romanstein wasappointed president of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in May 2010.  Underhis leadership the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has enlarged its reputation asone of America’s most innovative musical ensembles and strengthened its commitment tonurturing the talents of Atlanta’s young, aspiring artists.
And, most recently, itthe orchestra management and players have been mired in these contract negotiationsthat recently stalled. However, talks resumed again this week.
An accomplishednon-profit executive, Romanstein served as president and CEO of the MinnesotaHumanities Center (2001–2010); director of development at the Frederick R.Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis (2000–2001); executive director of theBaltimore School for the Arts and Baltimore School for the Arts Foundation(1996–2000); and associate professor and chair of the Department of Music atSt. Lawrence University (1987–1996).
In addition to his 25years of leadership and management experience in education and the arts,Romanstein is also a singer. A native of South Carolina, he grew up in ahousehold of music — both parents were also singers, and his mother a pianist.
 After earning his undergraduate degree inmusic, Romanstein went on to the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory ofMusic to earn his masters degree in conducting, and a Ph.D. in musicology. Hehas lived in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, New York, Florence, Baltimore, Romania, andspent time as a Fulbright Scholar, first for a year of study at HebrewUniversity in Jerusalem and later in Japan.
Romanstein succeededAllison Vulgamore, who held the office from 1993 through 2009. Ms. Vulgamore iscurrently president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra. 
The cost of admissionfor the Buckhead Business Association Weekly Breakfast—which is held on the18thn floor of the Atlanta Financial Center, 3343 Peachtree Road inBuckhead--is $10 for BBA members and $20 for visitors and guests.  Free validatedself-parking is available for all attendees. For more information, please visitthe BBA website at www.buckheadbusiness.org.