In Wednesday’s (2/29) Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Dobrin reports, “The Philadelphia Orchestra Association has signed president and chief executive officer Allison B. Vulgamore for three more years. Vulgamore, who took the helm of the troubled orchestra with a two-year contract starting in 2010, will remain its leader through Dec. 31, 2014, according to a proposed deal filed Wednesday and subject to approval by U.S. Bankruptcy Court. … An orchestra spokeswoman said Vulgamore was unavailable for comment. The pact is similar to the one that is expiring. Vulgamore will be paid an annual base salary of $450,000 but with a list of extras that sweeten the deal considerably,” including a “ ‘performance-based compensation’ cash bonus of between $50,000 and $150,000 per year. … In comparison to figures in past tax filings for other major U.S. orchestras, Vulgamore’s compensation puts her about the middle of the pack among colleagues. … Vulgamore became president during a period of unprecedented upheaval at the orchestra. She was in place for the signing of a new music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin; negotiation of a labor deal with deep cuts in compensation for musicians; an organizational split from Peter Nero and the Philly Pops; negotiation of a new lease with the Kimmel [Center for the Performing Arts]; and, on April 16, 2011, the orchestra’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. [Board Chairman Richard B.] Worley said Vulgamore, like the musicians, had received a cut in compensation.”
Posted March 1, 2012
