Columbus Symphony Musicians, Board, and Leadership Announce Strategic Restructuring Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—March 5, 2010
Media Contact
Katy Coy
Columbus Symphony Orchestra
614.228.9600 x1220
kcoy@columbussymphony.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the Central Ohio Federation of Musicians Local 103 announced today a two-fold restructuring plan to help achieve a sustainable business model moving forward. The restructuring plan will reduce next season’s CSO budget from $9.0 million to $7.5 million or less with some limited impact this year.

“There have been some tough, but stabilizing, decisions in these last few weeks,” said Martin Inglis, Executive Vice President and CFO of Battelle and Chairman of the Symphony’s Board of Trustees. “The musicians and the union have been immensely collaborative in the face of very difficult circumstances. Together, we have developed a new business model for the CSO and we believe this restructuring is a vital step in implementing our strategy.”These difficult measures were necessary due to the continued impact of the economic environment on fundraising and charitable giving. “Until a cash reserve is established, the CSO will not be able to weather the ups and downs of economic cycles. The CSO has been surviving ‘paycheck-to-paycheck’ for too long, and now is the moment to secure the institution’s future,” said Roland Valliere, President and CEO of the Symphony. “I commend the musicians for making sacrifices that will allow them to continue to provide high quality symphonic music to the community.”

“This restructuring, as painful as it is for the musicians, and the extended family of the CSO, is the result of a true collaboration between the musicians, board, and management to address serious financial problems in these challenging economic times,” said Douglas J. Fisher, President of the musicians’ union and bassoonist with the CSO. “We sincerely hope it represents the turning point for this organization and that better days lay ahead for the musicians of the CSO.”

The first component of the plan involves an agreement with the musicians’ union to amend the terms of the current Master Agreement (2008-2011). Key elements of the new agreement include:

• A reduced season (from 38 weeks to 25 weeks)

• Preservation of 2010-11 mission-critical activities: Classical Series, Pops Series, Picnic with the Pops, Family and Educational Concerts

• Elimination of five weeks of contracted services

• Elimination of three weeks of paid vacation for musicians

• Elimination of five weeks of other concerts (non-recurring special concerts)

• Reduction of average annual compensation for musicians in 2011 by approximately 23%

The second major component of the restructuring involves significant administrative savings by way of a partnership with the Columbus Association for Performing Arts (CAPA). Administrative and Board leadership of both the CSO and CAPA are currently in discussions regarding an agreement that would streamline the major administrative areas of finance, marketing, development and concert production.

“At this important time, we are exploring ways for CAPA to leverage its resources and offer assistance to the Symphony,” said Bill Conner, President and CEO of CAPA. “The CSO is an important and vital resource to our community, and we all want to help achieve a stable and sustainable future for the organization.” The remainder of the CSO’s 2009-10 season, as well as the summer Picnic with the Pops season, will continue as planned. Single ticket sales for the 2009-10 season are at the highest levels of recent years. The 2010-11 season will also proceed in its entirety, and early response to the subscription campaign has been strong. The CSO has also raised more than half the funds necessary for an anonymous donor’s $100,000 match grant challenge. Patrons are encouraged to make a donation to the CSO by mail, phone or online at this critical time when the impact of a gift is doubled. “We have an urgent need to raise more money near-term to allow us to balance the budget this year,” Valliere stated.

For more information, or to purchase tickets and/or give a gift, visit www.columbussymphony.com.

About The Columbus Symphony Orchestra
The Columbus Symphony’s mission is to advance a symphony orchestra of the highest artistic standard for the enrichment and well-being of central Ohio. This mission is achieved through a strong connection to the community, and in-depth understanding of the marketplace and a commitment to providing programming that meets the needs and desires of the community. The Columbus Symphony performs a diverse array of Classical, Pops, Family and Educational concerts each season, reaching an estimated 500,000 people through live performances and radio broadcasts.

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