Boston Symphony Orchestra Announces Pay Cuts & Furloughs

By Francisco Salazar

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced that orchestra members will take pay cuts while other staffers will be furloughed.

According to the Boston Globe, the orchestra agreed to take a 25 percent salary reduction until the end of August while 70 full-time staff members will be temporarily furloughed.

The cuts were made as the BSO is facing over 10.2 million in losses. The orchestra lost an estimated $6.2 million due to the cancellation of more than 130 performances, including the 2020 Boston Pops season, as well as more than $4 million lost due to venue rentals, tour concert cancellations, and other revenue streams.

Additionally CEO Mark Volpe announced he will take a 50 percent reduction on his salary while BSO Music Director will not be paid for all canceled performances and Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart will substantially cut his salary.

CEO Vople noted, “I am forever grateful to everyone here at the BSO who has expressed such grace and understanding regarding the difficult measures we’ve needed to take, though I don’t underestimate in the least the hardship and challenges these cutbacks will create for many of my colleagues.”

Earlier this month the BSO canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season while the Boston Pops canceled its 2020 season. A decision on the Tanglewood 2020 season, which runs from June 19 to August 30, has yet to be determined.

 

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