(Credit: Marco Borggreve/Boston Symphony Orchestra)

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced that it will lay off 50 employees from its full-time administrative staff, due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred and thirty members of the full-time staff will remain in their positions after the workforce reduction.

BSO has also stated in an official press release that it plans to furlough eight staff members from September through December. Per the press release, the current scheme of layoffs and furloughs has been determined after the thorough analysis of the orchestra’s operations.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have made some difficult decisions about reducing the organization’s workforce during this unprecedented time of concert cancellations and revenue loss associated with COVID-19,” said Mark Volpe, the Eunice and Julian Cohen BSO President and CEO.

“On behalf of everyone at the BSO, including our Music Director Andris Nelsons, it has been an honor to work side by side with many of the most gifted and dedicated staff in the orchestra industry and we are truly grateful  for the countless contributions our colleagues have made to ensure the orchestra’s success,” added Volpe.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra was forced to cancel the 2020 fall season. The orchestra will announce full details about the online content in September.