Article on the Musical Mutual Protective Association

Less than two weeks ago we published a short article with the same headline in which we described the misuse of New York musicians by this so-called ‘Protective Union.’ There were other critical articles in English as well as German papers about the matter. However, none of the members of this union have so far spoken up in its defense. This leads us to the conclusion that the members are not pleased with the coercion of New York musicians by their union. However, it seems as though there is a reform movement developing among the musicians. A full orchestra under the direction of Mr. Ihl, one of the most senior conductors in this city, has already withdrawn from the union. The “New York Weekly Review” published a longer article last Saturday which says as follows: “The Musical Mutual Protective Association” was founded on the 21^st of August 1863 and a constitution with several bylaws adopted. The constitution forces all New York musicians to become a member of the association or suffer the consequences:

          Section 1: It is every member’s obligation to reject employment offers made by non-union members, furthermore to refrain from joining an orchestra or band in which non-union members are playing, furthermore to refrain from joining an orchestra or band conducted and/or directed by a non-union member.

          Section 8: It is every member’s obligation to report members who are violating any of the rules of the Constitution or the bylaws.

          These two sections seem to bring back the long gone, medieval and limited Ill-spirit of the guilds. Everyone who does not belong to the society is shunned or persecuted. If Richard Wagner would come here to conduct, or Hans von Bülow to play, they would not find an orchestra unless they join the Union. We know of a case when a music dilettante and his two teenage children had to join the Union in order to give a private concert with four or five musicians at their house. However, we consider Section 8 of the Constitution as the most insolent requirement that one can ask another member to fulfill. It requests that members leave aside decency and honor by turning them into spies on other members.  This is not only the case when another member plays with non-union musicians but furthermore when the member is performing for less than the pay determined by the Union.