Musicians “Donating” $1.3 Million to Utah Symphony

10.09.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) The Utah Symphony orchestra’s 85 musicians will forgo a five percent raise, lose four weeks of pay, reduce their pension contribution by 50 percent and leave four open positions unfilled for a year. But instead of striking, these mostly union musicians actually view the $1.3 million in cuts as a donation, and a challenge to the public to help raise money.

“This is really our challenge to the community to raise $1 million as a donation, and that along with our $1.3 million gift-back, or donation, is really going to allow this organization to be successful in the future,” says David Porter, a violinist and spokesman for Utah Symphony musicians.

Porter says they feel passionately that the symphony is a valuable community resource, and are willing to invest a considerable amount of their own money to help it out during this economic downturn. The deal was ratified by the American Musicians Federation, Local 104, representing almost all of the musicians.

The symphony has seen its funding decrease alongside other arts organizations and nonprofits because of the economic downturn, says CEO Melia Tourangeau.

“I know that this community truly values what this institution brings to it. And so I’m confident that we’ll see ourselves through this difficult time,” Tourangeau says. “But to say that it’s not challenging is an understatement, I mean frankly, it’s a very difficult time.”

Tourangeau says the situation will be worse this coming year, as many foundation contributions, including the Symphony’s own endowment draw, are based on significantly reduced 2009 figures. State and local sales tax funding was also reduced, resulting in about a $2.5 million smaller budget this year. Musicians also made similar concessions this past year, totaling about $445,000.