PHOENIX — The Phoenix Symphony’s musicians are back at Symphony Hall, but the money that brought them back is only enough to get through December, musicians and board members told ABC15.
The orchestra’s 66 full-time musicians returned to rehearse Wednesday morning, about two weeks after their jobs were left in limbo when the nonprofit suspended its season.
In an Oct. 20 letter, Symphony President and CEO Peter Kjome said the organization no longer had the money to continue the current season, citing years of operating deficits and an immediate cash shortage despite higher ticket sales and contributions. The orchestra played its last scheduled concert Nov. 1 before the suspension.
Since then, the community has rallied. Supporters needed $500,000 by last Friday and a little over $2 million to finish the year. “The extraordinary support that our community has provided in recent weeks has exceeded two million dollars, and there are important conversations underway,” Kjome said.
The Symphony also formed an 11-member New American Symphony Commission of community leaders and musicians to develop a plan for its long-term finances. Board members said six members had been named as of Wednesday.
At the return rehearsal, musicians wore yellow heart pins as a symbol of teamwork. “It would be just devastating for this community to not have this here,” said Steve Hanusofski, associate principal clarinet, who is in his 41st season with the orchestra.
What happens after December remains uncertain, musicians said.
Sources: ABC15. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Jenniferjoysutton / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
