PHOENIX — Symphony Hall has gone quiet after the Phoenix Symphony laid off all 66 full-time musicians following its Nov. 1 performance, ABC15 reported.
The final concert before the shutdown was a film screening of “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” with live orchestra.
The board announced Oct. 20 that it was suspending the 2026-27 season because of financial problems, according to KJZZ. The unpaid layoffs took effect Nov. 2, and KJZZ reported the musicians will lose health insurance on Nov. 30.
There may be some hope. The board and musicians released a joint statement Nov. 2 describing a “respectful, constructive conversation about the Symphony’s future,” and said they left encouraged about progress toward “returning the orchestra to the stage,” according to ABC15.
“The Board of Directors and leadership continue to work to address our immediate financial obligations and determine what will be required to resume responsibly,” President and CEO Peter Kjome wrote in a statement cited by KJZZ.
The situation is complicated by a $6.5 million gift from the trust of Glenn and May Tansley that is now tied up in court. Trust attorneys have asked a judge to reverse an Oct. 14 order approving the gift, alleging the symphony did not disclose its financial condition, FOX 10 reported. The symphony disagrees and says it has not received any of the money.
Musicians launched a “Face the Music” campaign to share their stories. The orchestra has served Phoenix for nearly 80 years.
Sources: ABC15, KJZZ, FOX 10. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: SintaBerzins / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
