In Tuesday’s (12/4) Indianapolis Star, Jay Harvey writes, “In its annual meeting Monday at Hilbert Circle Theatre, the Indiana Symphony Society learned that it has secured $2.2 million in new pledges toward its goal of raising $5 million by Feb. 3. Progress is crucial, because if the current campaign falls short of that goal, the five-season contract negotiated with difficulty this fall with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s musicians will not take effect. Attendees also learned that the society, which governs the 82-year-old orchestra, will soon name a new president and CEO. … Interim President and CEO Jackie Groth reported that the ISO pared its operating costs to $20.6 million for 2012-13, a reduction of $6 million from the year before. What enabled this drastic cut was the fact that ‘our musicians agreed to significant concessions’ … [Outgoing Board President John R.] Thornburgh also cited the musicians’ sacrifices, amounting to a 32 percent cut in basic compensation in the current season, with slight year-to-year increments (if the five-year contract takes effect) that will leave salaries about 10 percent below what they were last season. He also acknowledged deep cuts in the administrative staff and the increased responsibilities of those who remain.”
Posted December 5, 2012
