Union Rebuts Claims About Camerata Pact

Charging that there indeed have been “abuses of musicians by the Mozart Camerata Orchestra,” the Orange County Musicians’ Assn. has rebutted the orchestra management’s claim that an agreement with the union over musicians’ pay represented a “vote of confidence” in the Camerata leadership.

In a strongly worded statement issued late Wednesday, Frank Amoss, president of the Orange County local, said a meeting Monday between union officials and orchestra leaders “did nothing to alter the union’s understanding of the conditions that prompted complaints and resignations by its members who have been employed by the Camerata.”

Musicians had asked that the orchestra be required to post a bond guaranteeing payment for rehearsals and performances for the chamber orchestra’s next concerts, Feb. 9 and 10. After the union agreed not to ask for the bond, Camerata board member Harvey Berman said, “We view it as a vote of confidence in the Mozart Camerata.”

Amoss said Berman’s remarks sparked numerous complaints from musicians who have played in the Camerata. Amoss said those complaints prompted the union’s statement, which also said, “The aforementioned meeting concentrated on agreeing to an alternative measure which would not require full payment of musicians in advance. This was accomplished by an agreement between the union and the Camerata that will ensure prompt payment for future services.” The statement also said terms of the agreement are confidential.

Berman on Thursday called the statement “inarticulate and inappropriate.”

“The purpose of that meeting was to present our side and then for the union and us to work together to resolve the (bond) issue,” he said. Responding to the union’s reference to “abuses of musicians,” Berman said: “I hope that there is no prejudging and that we are given an opportunity to investigate what the concerns are and present our side before a final determination is made.”

Berman said he and Amoss will be at a Camerata rehearsal Monday to give musicians “an opportunity . . . to express their views . . . on any concerns they have. Whether or not they will take that opportunity, I have no idea.”

Monday’s meeting had been called after 17 current and former Camerata members complained to the union about late payments and allegations of other contract violations, issues also cited in the resignations of at least eight players, including concertmaster Endre Granat and principal second violinist Alex Horvath.

Ami Porat, founding music director of the Camerata, has denied all allegations.