“The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has outlined its strategy for weathering the financial storm as Orchestra Hall sits silent amid the coronavirus pandemic,” writes Brian McCollum in Monday’s (4/13) Detroit Free Press. “The DSO’s unionized musicians and crew members have agreed to 20% salary reductions through August … while retaining insurance benefits. DSO President and CEO Anne Parsons is also taking a 20% salary reduction, … while other full-time staff will see pay cuts ranging from 2% to 20%.… The orchestra … expects to avoid further salary cuts or furloughs because of support from the [federal] Paycheck Protection Program…. The orchestra board also announced the formation of the DSO Resilience Fund…. DSO board chairman Mark Davidoff said in a statement, ‘This year’s centennial celebration of Orchestra Hall—built during a flu pandemic 100 years ago—reminds us that we are indeed resilient, and we look forward to coming out of this latest challenge ready and able to keep the music playing for decades to come.’ … The orchestra said it will continue to evaluate the situation ‘to determine the ability to operate this summer or fall.’ Recently appointed Jader Bignamini is scheduled to conduct his first performance as DSO music director in December.”
Change font size
