Music will once again fill Symphony Hall in Downtown Phoenix — at least for a while. The board and musicians issued separate but similar press releases Friday afternoon announcing that performances will resume on Nov. 12 after raising enough immediate funds, but stop short of saying it’ll finish out the season.
The board and the Phoenix Symphony Musicians also revealed that an 11-member commission will form to cement the orchestra’s future. It will comprise civic and business leaders, musicians and Symphony representatives.
Peter Kjome, the Symphony’s president and CEO, said in the board’s release, “Just days ago, we faced the heartbreaking prospect of a silent concert hall and an uncertain future. Now we can welcome our musicians and audiences back. All of us are grateful for their dedication and for the Valley leaders and organizations who helped make this return possible.”
The board’s release also hints that the symphony might need to cease again this season, but doesn’t give a hard stop. It reads, “The immediate fundraising commitments make it possible to resume performances, while the continued support of the community will be essential to sustaining the season and securing the Symphony’s future.”
The musicians’ release, however, clearly states the show won’t go on after the end of the year without more support.
Bridget Pasker, associate principal cello and orchestra committee co-chair, said in the release, “Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in America, and it deserves a world-class orchestra that grows with it. We believe the path to a sustainable future runs through growing our audiences, our donors and our work in the community.”
She continued, “We are relieved to be coming back, and we are grateful to everyone who refused to let this orchestra go silent. Keeping the music playing past December 31 will take all of us, and the musicians are ready to do our part.”
A spokesperson for the board declined an interview request with Kjome, and Pasker declined a request for an interview.
A surprise stop, then hope
The symphony announced suddenly on Oct. 21 that it was suspending its season after the Nov. 1 performance and laying off all musicians due to financial struggles.
The 66-member orchestra responded with posts on social media and flyers handed out before performances on Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 that questioned the board’s actions, called for more financial transparency and asked for patrons’ help in demanding answers.
On Nov. 2, a joint statement in the “Updates” section of the Symphony’s website offered a glimmer of hope, saying fundraising progress had been made and revealing “a plan to resume performances, possibly as soon as this month.”
The latest board release says that the New American Symphony Commission’s goal is to develop a “sustainable plan for the nearly 80-year-old institution, ensuring that the financial challenges that led to the suspension are addressed through meaningful, lasting change.”
It will be chaired by business leaders John Graham and Don Opatmy. Graham is chairman and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings and a former chair of the symphony’s board of directors. Opatmy is a private investor and former Goldman Sachs partner and managing director who has chaired many arts and education nonprofits.
In the release, Opatmy says, “We owe our musicians, donors and audiences a disciplined, realistic plan for lasting financial stability. That work must begin as soon as possible.”
The commission will also include two musicians selected by Local 586 of the American Federation of Musicians, along with symphony and community representatives. Graham and Opatrny will select the remaining members. The release states that musicians’ compensation and working conditions remain subject to collective bargaining.
Show them the money
The press releases make it clear that Valley leaders and organizations ponied up money to restart the Symphony’s season.
It’s unclear who they are or how much they gave; the board says it’ll “recognize the leaders and organizations whose support made the return possible in a subsequent announcement.”
It’s also unclear how much more is needed, or whether the musicians have agreed to any pay cuts or other concessions.
The musicians’ release states, “Continuing the season into 2027 will require additional fundraising. The musicians have committed to working alongside the Symphony’s administration and Board to help raise those funds.”
According to the board’s release, the Symphony’s development team and musicians are also collaborating on a fundraising campaign dubbed The Next Movement.
Board President Mo Stein urged everyone to donate and attend performances.
“Now, more than ever, we need the community to be part of the Phoenix Symphony’s future,” Stein said in the board’s release. “That means making a donation if you can, but it also means something simpler: Please come to our concerts. Be inspired by the sounds and emotion. Feel how music connects us. The best way to show that Phoenix needs and values its Symphony is to fill the concert hall and feel the experience.”
The next official concert will be a chamber performance of Brahms’ “Serenade No. 1” on Nov. 12 at the Musical Instrument Museum. Next weekend, Nov. 13 to 15, Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz leads “Music of the Knights: Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John & Sir Paul McCartney.”
Also, a benefit concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Monroe Street Abbey in downtown Phoenix to raise funds directly for the musicians.
More information about performances, tickets and the resumption of educational and community programs is on the Phoenix Symphony website.
