After a wild two weeks in which the entire forthcoming San Antonio Symphony was cancelled and then equally suddenly restarted, the Symphony says it has righted its finances, and will move forward with the 'majority' of the 2017-2018 season, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
“The Symphony will continue to bring thrilling symphonic music to our community at large, with performances for all ages reinstated for the remainder of the scheduled 2017-18 Season.” says Kathleen Weir Vale, Board Chair of the Symphony Society of San Antonio “We thank all who support our city’s Symphony, particularly those who have stepped up, helping this organization sustain a prosperous future; sharing their knowledge, time, dedication, and financial support."
Vale said on Thursday that $1.9 million in pledges from private donors have come in, just since last weekend, when County Judge Nelson Wolff and Mayor Ron Nirenberg vowed to pledge public funds to the Symphony, and urged donors to step forward.
The Symphony started sliding into financial trouble late last year, when a group made up of donors and foundations that was formed to get the orchestra onto more solid financial footing fell apart, allegedly after learning of a multi million dollar pension fund liability owed to the musicians union.
At the same time, the Symphony and the union were unable to reach a new contract.But just in the last two weeks, Vale has taken charge of the Symphony Society Board and ordered the season restarted, a new contract has been reached with the musicians, and additional performances were placed back onto the calendar.
A statement from the Tobin Center says the symphony is also in a 'debt free position.
'The Symphony season consists of Young People's Concerts and appearences at schools and civic events, as well as the high profile full orchestra concerts at the Tobin Center.