TSO CUTS--IN CASE YOU MISSED THE MEMO

posted by James Reel

Here's the announcement of cutbacks at the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, although I don't think this press release mentions that the musicians reportedly took a 30-percent cut in pay...

TUCSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES

PROGRAMMING ADJUSTMENTS TO CLASSICS AND TSO POPS! SERIES IN 2010/11-82ND SEASON

LANG LANG, BERNADETTE PETERS PERFORMANCES

AMONG SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

(Tucson, AZ)—The Tucson Symphony Orchestra today announced the following changes to begin in the 2010/11—82nd season:

* The Classic Series will be reduced from nine to seven programs running October through April. Friday evenings will continue and Sunday matinee performances will be offered for all seven programs. Thursday evening performances will not be continued. Popular pre-concert talks by Music Director and Conductor George Hanson on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm will continue and pre-concert talks have been added to all Sunday matinee performances at 1:00 pm.

* The TSO Pops! Series will be reduced from five to four programs starting in December with the annual Holiday Spectacular and running through March. Saturday evening and Sunday matinee performances will continue, but there will be no Friday evening performances.

* The Moveable Musical Feasts and the Recital Series in Tucson and Green Valley will be suspended.

* The Green Valley shuttle to Thursday Classics and Sunday TSO Pops! will be discontinued.

In making the announcement, TSO Executive Director Susan Franano said, “These changes are consistent with meeting TSO’s mission and public service obligation, with stabilizing our financial condition in recessionary times, and with maintaining a high quality TSO season—all for the benefit of our patrons and our community.” Citing the economic downturn in the fourth quarter of 2008, Ms. Franano explained that it was too late then to make programming changes for the 2009/10—81st season, which will continue as planned through the final Classic Series performances on April 22nd and 23rd.

The strategic changes made by the TSO Board of Trustees are designed to make the most of the TSO’s reduced resources and still allow all patrons to continue to experience the joy of hearing great symphonic music. Many TSO subscribers will not be affected by these changes. Those subscribers who are affected have received phone calls from board members explaining the changes along with the TSO’s sincere commitment to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“Our priority always is to bring you the finest music at the highest level of performance possible and we are very confident you will find the 2010/11 – 82nd Season to be exciting, accessible and affordable,” said George Hanson. “These adjustments will result in a positive outcome for everyone who loves the TSO and is dedicated to ensuring that the orchestra remains true to its mission, “to transform lives through music.”

The TSO Classic Series Special will continue unaffected with guest artist, pianist and international superstar Lang Lang performing the beloved Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto on Monday, January 10, 2011 at the Tucson Music Hall. The TSO Pops! Specials will also not be affected: one of the biggest stars of Broadway and film, Bernadette Peters, will headline one TSO Pops! Special on March 19, 2011. Jeans ‘N Classics: “Take It to the Limit”—The Music of The Eagles will be the second TSO Pops! Special next season. There will be two performances of The MasterWorks Special, Handel’s Messiah at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm on December 4, 2010.

Highlights on the Classic Series include Beethoven’s masterpiece Symphony No. 3 “Eroica,” Franck’s audience-favorite Symphony in D Minor, the magnificent Pines of Rome by Respighi and Mussorgsky/Ravel’s exciting Pictures at an Exhibition. Terrence Wilson returns to perform music of the great piano virtuoso Franz Liszt and violin virtuoso Dylana Jenson performs the sparkling Symphonie Espagnole of Lalo in a long-awaited return to the TSO stage.

TSO Pops! Series highlights include OZ with Orchestra—a showing of the re-mastered full-length Wizard of Oz film with the score played live by the TSO, the return of Steve Lippia with his signature smooth vocal styling of the hits of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and other greats of that era, and A Night at the Oscars.

There will be no change to the MasterWorks Chamber Orchestra Series which will open with George Hanson hosting “Stars of the Symphony” featuring TSO String, Brass and Wind Ensembles on November 6 and 7, 2010. The MasterWorks Series, which receives generous support from Drs. John P. and Helen S. Schaefer, continues with performances of works by Mozart, Schumann, Beethoven and more with guest soloists including pianist Grace Fong, the 2009 Christel DeHaan Classical Fellow of the American Pianists Association, and TSO Concertmaster Aaron Boyd.

Renewals for the TSO’s 2010/11—82nd season will begin the week of January 25 when subscribers receive their season brochure and renewal packet.

In addition to changes in public performances, various TSO education programs have been adjusted. Just for Kids, KinderKonzerts, Music in the Schools (MIS) and the Young People’s Concerts will continue to be offered at a reduced level. The Young Composers Project is unaffected, as is the Young Artists Competition.