In Friday’s (3/25) Star Press (East Central Indiana), Ivy Farguheson reports, “The Muncie Symphony orchestra has canceled its last concert of the 2010-2011 season. At a cost of more than $35,000, the agency could not afford to hold the April 30 performance at Emens Auditorium, choosing not to increase the year’s debt and add to its $100,000 deficit. … Concert expenditures include the rental of Emens Auditorium, which costs from $4,500 to $6,000 depending on the length of the concert, compensation for the MSO’s professional musicians, fees for renting the music, printing costs for the music as well as stipends for the music managers and the librarian. … The MSO staff had followed cost-cutting measures, hoping to secure the season. Executive Director Elissa McDonald and the three other office staff took paycuts or became hourly workers to reduce expenses. But it wasn’t enough. Musicians, who as professionals are compensated for their work, attended fewer rehearsals, cutting employment costs. As a nonunion symphony, the 70-plus musicians were already paid less than other unionized orchestras across the country.”
Posted March 25, 2011
