With concerts canceled since early March because of the coronavirus pandemic and income already reduced by $4 million, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is putting in place salary cuts and furloughs for the administrative staff. The cuts do not affect the musicians.
Effective July 6, administrative salaries will be cut between 2.5% and 12.5%. Calling the moves “a very difficult decision,” president and CEO Kim Noltemy will take a 25% pay cut. Sixteen staff positions will be furloughed.
“Our goal is for the furloughs to extend for no longer than six months,” Noltemy said in an e-mail. “These employees will be able to keep their medical coverage.”
Noltemy added, “With no ticket income for concerts from May 9 through the end of June, these changes are necessary to maintain our financial equilibrium. During this period, I am committed to finding creative ways to keep the orchestra performing and connected with all of our audiences.”
The orchestra has been adding audio and video recordings to its website, mydso.com, and groups of musicians have been playing informal concerts outside homes and apartment complexes.
The Dallas Opera earlier announced staff salary reductions between 10% and 25%, and some staff furloughs. General director and CEO Ian Derrer and music director Emmanuel Villaume are taking 25% salary cuts, while other personnel from orchestra members to wigmakers will receive 50% pay cuts for the three productions canceled in the spring.
The opera company and Cliburn Concerts have announced they will not resume performances until 2021. The DSO has not yet announced schedule changes.
