In Wednesday’s (5/20) Arizona Republic (Phoenix), Jahna Berry reports, “The Phoenix Symphony’s musicians, music director and staff agreed to take 17 percent pay cut over the next three years to stabilize the struggling organization. The musicians’ pay cut, which will save nearly $2 million over the three years, and other cost saving measures will allow the non-profit to keep a full-time orchestra and make about 200 performances a year. The symphony was recently forced to renegotiate its contract with the musicians’ union after the recession spurred a sharp drop in donations—a key source of income. The orchestra had to slash $1 million from its $12 million operating budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, said Maryellen Gleason, the symphony’s president. The organization will now have to operate with $9 million budget for fiscal year 2009-2010.”
Posted May 20, 2009
Photo: Michael Christie conducts the Phoenix Symphony
Credit: Tim Trumble
