Orchestra cancels season over money woes; no pay for staff
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The curtain’s closing on a Pennsylvania orchestra.
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic said Friday it’s cancelling the upcoming season because of financial problems. The 45-year-old orchestra will play one concert in October and then shut down while it figures out its next moves.
The orchestra ended last season with a $235,000 deficit. Officials say the executive director, the music director and the office staff have gone months without a paycheque. Musicians declined to take a 30 per cent pay cut.
Orchestra officials say it’ll take $1.1 million to produce the 2017-18 season. They’re encouraging corporate sponsors, donors and Philharmonic fans to raise money to “keep the orchestra alive.”
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