Baltimore Symphony Orchestra cancels summer programming

BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has cancelled its summer programming, citing $16 million in losses over the past decade.

The Washington Post reports the Thursday cancellation announcement by the orchestra comes about a month after the summer season was announced. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan approved a bill then that would give the group $3.2 million in state funding. Orchestra president and Chief Executive Peter Kjome says the funding helped with short-term issues, but didn’t address long-term issues or reform the group’s business model.

The orchestra proposed months ago to cut the season from 52 weeks per year to 40 weeks. The orchestra’s musicians have been playing without a contract since September, with proposed cuts to the season as the major issue in negotiations. A bargaining session is set for Tuesday.

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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com