The musicians of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra have approved a 12 percent reduction in contracted compensation for the 2009-10 season, as one part of that orchestra’s effort to reduce expenses in response to the economic downturn. The musicians are currently operating under a collective bargaining agreement effective through the 2011-12 season. Other planned reductions include reducing the size of the administrative staff by 17 percent (7.5 positions); freezing salaries of non-senior staff and not making contributions to staff retirement accounts; reducing senior management compensation by 15.5 percent; and cancelling a planned European tour during the 2009-10 season. “These are unprecedented times and we wanted to do our part to ensure that the organization remains financially healthy,” said Thomas Kornacker, SPCO co-principal second violin. “The entire process was extremely collegial.” Sarah Lutman, president and managing director, said, “I am so grateful to the musicians for demonstrating once again that they are full partners in ensuring the future vitality of this organization. We asked for their help and they immediately responded in a meaningful way.” The orchestra—which has balanced its budget in fourteen out of the last fifteen years—reported that it remains “cautiously optimistic” about balancing the budget for the current fiscal year, ending June 30.
Posted April 6, 2009
Photo of Sarah Lutman by Ann Marsden
