In Monday’s (8/5) Milwaukee Business News, Erica Breunlin writes about the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which she says “has faced significant financial challenges, particularly during recent seasons. The orchestra—the largest performing arts organization in the state—experienced an especially trying fiscal year in 2010 when its expenses exceeded its revenue by more than $1 million. MSO balanced its budget the last two years, and the organization is on track to balance its budget for a third time this year, but not without making sacrifices and some tough decisions. Mark Niehaus, president and executive director of the MSO, took the helm last September after spending 15 years as its principal trumpet player.… This past fall, the MSO renegotiated contracts with its musicians in a process that ultimately led to its musicians relinquishing a promised raise.… 2012-13 was year four of the contract, but the MSO renegotiated contracts early last fall.… The MSO’s unconventional strategy in including musicians on all board committees has been instrumental in avoiding bitter labor wars.… For the last 20 years, the MSO has made a point to have a governance structure of ‘openness and transparency’ with direct involvement from musicians so that orchestra members are up to speed on current finance issues.”
Photo of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, taken at Carnegie Hall in May 2012, by Steve J. Sherman
Posted August 6, 2013
