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Memphis Symphony Orchestra Musicians Accept Pay Cut

In October, musicians of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) accepted a 38% pay cut in order to allow the organization to regain its footing. The concession is for the current year only and will then be renegotiated.

In addition to the wage cut, the orchestra’s season length will be reduced from 39 weeks to 24 nonconsecutive weeks. Vacant positions in the orchestra will not be filled this year.

MSO was in danger of closure earlier this year, and the musicians approved a memorandum of understanding stating that the orchestra would reduce its budget from $4.8 million to $3.2 million. Since then, MSO has raised $2.2 million toward its new “sustainability fund.”