Phoenix Symphony musician speaks out after organization suspends future concerts

Monday, November 02, 2026 | 01:40

After the Phoenix Symphony announced it would suspend all shows after Nov. 1 due to dwindling funding, one of the more than 60 musicians who make up the symphony's orchestra says she's left feeling frustrated but credits her peers for banding together. Associate Principal Cello Bridget Pasker says she and the rest of the orchestra found out about the decision to suspend future shows, with no continuation date in sight, only a short time before it was publicly released. "We're very frustrated with our board," she says. Pasker also explains the announcement came as the musicians were re-negotiating contracts with the Phoenix Symphony organization, saying now they're left without a job and will lose healthcare coverage at the end of November. She urges community members to ask for transparency from the Phoenix Symphony organization before donating to it. "We have to have a contract, we have to have a lot of communication and transparency from the board," Pasker says. You can also support the musicians directly at musiciansofthephoenixsymphony.com or at @phoenixsymphonymusicians. Pasker also invites viewers to come to their remaining shows this weekend, tickets are available at phoenixsymphony.org. "Art teaches us about our own humanity and it teaches us about the humanity of others. It helps us reach out of ourselves to understand other people," she adds.