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Home » Orchestra News » Nashville Symphony Orchestra Announces Furloughs


Nashville Symphony Orchestra Announces Furloughs

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The Nashville Symphony Association (NSA) announced in June plans to furlough all members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra beginning July 1. The organization received a loan from the Payroll Protection Program but said it cannot continue to pay the musicians once those funds run out in June. The NSA also announced that the entire 2020-2021 season will be postponed. It is possible some type of performances may still occur during that time frame, but it will depend on the pandemic’s progression and advances in research. At this time, there is no scheduled date for the musicians’ return to work.

Orchestra Committee Chair Melinda Whitley of Local 257 (Nashville, TN) said these announcements are indicative of the devastating effect that COVID-19 is having on musicians everywhere. “Like every professional orchestra around the world, we are facing unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic. Because of the nature of our industry and of our venue, we are likely to be among the last to return to work,” Whitley said.

Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy said his local will be ready when the time comes to work out the details of how and when the orchestra members will safely return to their jobs.







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