Phoenix Symphony musician speaks out after season is abruptly canceled

A former Phoenix Symphony musician said it was difficult and stressful being given just 13 days’ notice that she would be losing her income.

The symphony announced on Oct. 20 that it was suspending performances and laying off musicians starting Monday as it could no longer afford to stay open.

Bridget Pasker, who was associate principal cello for the orchestra, told KTAR News 92.3 FM that musicians found out they were being let go not long before the public did.

 

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“It was rolled out in what was supposed to be a negotiation meeting with our board management. … Our CBA contract is up Oct.31. So, that’s why we were in the middle of negotiating,” Pasker explained. “The press release went out I think … during that meeting. We were still in the meeting when we all started getting messages from friends around the country saying, ‘what is going on?'”

Musicians are also set to lose their health insurance on Nov. 30, according to Pasker.

She said the musicians understood the financial predicament the organization was in and were willing to meet the board and management halfway on the “fairly deep cuts” they proposed. Pasker added they even offered to help fundraise. 

“We really felt that we were having a good, productive conversation,” she said. “Both parties had agreed to be transparent and to negotiate in good faith, so this announcement really came out of nowhere for us.”

Musicians start campaign to remind public of their humanity

Following the layoff announcement, the musicians started the “Face the Music” campaign on social media.

“We all come from different places; we all come from different walks of life. We’ve all had different life experiences,” Pasker said. “And we all come together to make something really great for our community and we want to continue doing that.”

The orchestra also serves the community through its education and outreach programs.

The education program, called Mind Over Music, pairs a musician with a teacher to help teach a specific part of the curriculum through music. The orchestra also visits and plays for people at homeless shelters, memory care centers and hospice care facilities as part of its B-Sharp program.

“We’re a bit unsure about the education and outreach programs, but at this time, because we are officially being laid off, we believe those will be ending as well,” Pasker said. “We really value a lot those programs that we do. The Phoenix Symphony and what we do on stage is our full-time job. … This is the thing that we prioritize most in our lives.”

The cellist explained that the public can help by following the musicians on social media and asking the Phoenix Symphony for transparency.

“Before we come back, we have to have a contract and we need to have a lot of communication and transparency from the board in terms of what’s going to happen and how. So, before making a donation, I hope that you ask those questions of our leadership so that we can ensure that we serve this community to the best of our ability going forward,” Pasker said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Balin Overstolz-McNair contributed to this report. 

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