Spokane Symphony cancels two concerts, cuts other costs

Jul 22, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow

The Spokane Symphony today announced cost reduction measures to help balance 2010-11 budget. These actions include the cancellation of two concerts and other expense reductions.

Executive Director Brenda Nienhouse said, “Managing the Symphony budget through tough economic times while keeping the organization strong for the future requires these necessary cuts. We have a 65-year history of offering our community excellent programming and are committed to continuing that tradition. We know the community understands the value of our fine regional orchestra and will support us as we take the measures needed to remain vital for the future.”

Labor Day Comstock Park Concert Cancelled for 2010

The Labor Day concert in ComstockPark has marked the end of summer and the unofficial beginning of the Spokane Symphony season for 25 years, but while admission is free, the concert costs the Symphony organization more than $36,000 to stage. Sponsors have traditionally underwritten the majority of these costs, but as the nation’s economy has suffered, so have sponsorship dollars.

“We are grateful for past sponsors as well as the donations received through the pass-the-hat efforts at the concert, but it is clear that this year we cannot afford to provide this wonderful gift to the community. With the community’s support we can have that big white tent back in place and the musicians on stage for Labor Day 2011,”  she added.

Saturday, September 4, at 6 p.m. the Spokane Symphony will play a free concert at PavillionPark in LibertyLake. This concert is paid for by Friends of Pavillion Park.

Sinatra SuperPops Concert cancelled

The Oct. 2 performance by Frank Sinatra Jr. in the SuperPops series has been cancelled.  As a result, this year’s SuperPops series will be reduced from six to five concerts. This concert is currently planned to be rescheduled as part of the 2011-12 Symphony season.

Subscribers who have ordered series tickets that include this concert may exchange it for tickets to any of the Symphony’s 2010-11 season concerts, including Special Concerts: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on New Year’s Eve, Carmina Burana or the Nutcracker. They may also exchange for any of the Classics or Casual Classics concerts or for additional tickets to one of the remaining SuperPops concerts.

Other Budget Reduction Measures

In addition to the cancellation of the concerts, other cost-cutting measures are being taken. They include office space consolidation resulting in reduced rent and other reductions. Earlier this year, the Spokane Symphony eliminated the equivalent of four full-time staff positions or more than 20 percent of the staff.

The Spokane Symphony Endowment has provided a one-time $350,000 distribution to help cover the deficit for the 2009-10 season.

“These reductions will enable the Spokane Symphony to continue to provide the region with the highest quality orchestral performances,” said Board President Ron Stanley.