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Paul Taylor Dance Company Sparks Protest With Use Of Canned Music

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David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center - New York, NY (file / credit: Wikipedia)

David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center – New York, NY (file / credit: Wikipedia)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Inside the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, recorded music is accompanying the performances of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the musicians union is not happy.

WCBS 880′s Marla Diamond On The Story


They gathered people to protest outside the opening night performance on Tuesday.

Tino Gagliardi, president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 says people are paying a lot of money to see the shows.

“This is Lincoln Center. It’s one thing if it’s some theater somewhere throughout the city, but people come to Lincoln Center, they expect a certain standard,” he told WCBS 880 reporter Marla Diamond. “Look what we have here – the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera House. It should not be happening here. I don’t think New York City audiences deserve it, quite frankly.”

The executive director of the dance company says they wanted to have live music, but they just couldn’t afford it.

“Is this a bad time to be a musician in New York City?” asked Diamond.

“It is. It certainly is,” answered John Taylor, who once played trombone for the troop.

The next performance is at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and the company’s run at Lincoln Center continues through Tuesday, March 27.

What do you think of the use of recorded music? Sound off in the comments section below!

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  • James Jerome

    If, as reported by the New York Times, a union orchestra would cost approximately $450,000 to $500,000 to accompany 16 incredibly talented dancers during the PTDC season of but a few weeks. And if, as reported, it is already costing the PTDC $1.5 million to perform there . . . and if, one considers how little income professional dancers earn and consider how many charity functions the PTDC supports by dedicating their time and talent . . . I’m at a loss. Let the dancers dance!!!

  • James

    If you don’t want to see the company because they don’t use live music then exercise your rights…and don’t go. It’s a dance concert not a music concert. Yes as a musician it would be great if there was live music. But , let me see how to say this, there isn’t. And the beat and the show goes on.!

  • DarthEVaderCheney

    ROFLMBO!!! And NOW even the musicians are fighting??!!??? Will this madness in the USA EVER stop?? You’re all grossly overpaid anyway… bring your wares to the local pub crawls!!!

  • Horatio B.

    The use of recorded music in *any* theater in NYC is appalling, let alone one of the major theaters in Lincoln Center (and possibly the country!). The musician’s union is right on this one, and the dance company is dead wrong. How dare they con US, the audience, who are paying upwards of $100 a ticket and using recordings to pass for live musicians. Shame Shame Shame!!!

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