Kansas City, MO - The coronavirus pandemic is like a wrong music note blurted out or a bow string snap at just the wrong moment.
You planned to make some sweet music in 2020 but... ping!! goes the strings of your cello.
It might feel a little like that for Danny Beckley, the executive director of the Kansas City Symphony. In his second year at the helm, he had plans to adapt and re-imagine how to reach more people and grow an audience.
Then COVID-19 showed up. What's a symphony to do in a pandemic?
The symphony is planning to play smaller outdoor chamber music events to limit attendees due to the coronavirus. And there's a reduction in salary for musicians as revenue is sharply down.
“It became very clear to the musicians, management and board that we needed a different approach to the upcoming season,” Beckley said in a press release. “This new agreement helps provide for the safety of our musicians, staff and patrons, and also will reduce our operating expenses in accordance with the reduction in ticket revenue brought about by the pandemic.”
We are pleased to announce the Kansas City Symphony and its musicians have agreed to new contract terms for the 2020-21 season. @joshbarone @TommasiniNYT @zwoolfe @KMBZradio @lauraspencer @ICSOM @MusicalAmerica @kcmotalkradioRead the full release here: https://t.co/ulxb42U3rM
— Kansas City Symphony (@kcsymphony) July 30, 2020
The Symphony has reduced the number of administrative staff and salaries for certain positions as well. They say the changes represents a 25% reduction in the Symphony’s fixed expenses.
