“The Oregon Symphony announced Wednesday that it will cancel all remaining performances for 2020, with a tentative plan to resume in January,” writes Jamie Hall in Wednesday’s (7/8) Oregonian (Portland, OR). “The decision comes after the organization had to lay off its orchestra and several staff members as the coronavirus pandemic swept through Oregon in March. The staff that remains has had to take furloughs and pay cuts that have included president and CEO Scott Showalter…. Between March and June, the Oregon Symphony lost an estimated $5 million, he said. Between October and December, it expects to lose another $4 million. The organization’s annual budget is typically $22 million, most of which comes from ticket sales. That’s forced the Oregon Symphony to not only make the necessary cuts, but to also start making more urgent appeals for money.… Most of that money would go toward paying the healthcare costs of the orchestra and staff.… Their hope is that the Oregon Symphony will be able to start going again by January.… During the pandemic, the Oregon Symphony launched two free digital series online.… Those virtual experiences have continued the organization’s mission of connecting with the community.”
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