Follow-up: Phoenix Symphony Board, Staff and Musicians Meet on First Day of Suspension, Eyeing a Return This Month

According to The Arizona Republic, representatives of The Phoenix Symphony's Board of Directors and staff met with representatives of the American Federation of Musicians Local 586 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, on Monday, November 2, the day the suspension of the orchestra's 2026-27 season took effect. In a joint statement, the participants called the meeting "a respectful, constructive conversation about the Symphony's future," and said all participants left encouraged by the progress made toward their shared goal of returning the orchestra to the stage.

The statement said the central items discussed were the meaningful fundraising progress made over the past week and a plan to resume performances, possibly as soon as this month. The musicians, board and staff also agreed to collaborate on fundraising to support the symphony. "Continued dialogue and community support will be essential as we work together to bring live symphonic music back to our audiences and community," the statement concluded.

The development followed an emotional Sunday concert at Symphony Hall, where the orchestra's 66 musicians closed what was supposed to be their final concert of the interrupted season with Elgar's "Nimrod" from the Enigma Variations. The board had announced the suspension on October 20, saying the symphony did not have the financial resources to continue its first season with Music Director Designate Paolo Bortolameolli, who conducted the season opener the weekend of October 9.

The musicians' unpaid layoffs took effect on November 2, with their health insurance covered through November 30. Symphony President and CEO Peter Kjome earlier told The Arizona Republic that suspending the season was "an extraordinarily difficult decision that will affect the lives of our musicians and staff as well as people across our community." Whether performances resume this month now depends on fundraising and continued talks.

Related: Follow-up: Phoenix Symphony Plays Final Concert Before Suspension

(Source: The Phoenix Symphony)

Source: The Phoenix Symphony

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：凤凰城交响乐团主场 Symphony Hall 西入口。Cygnusloop99 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The west entrance of Symphony Hall in Phoenix, home of The Phoenix Symphony. By Cygnusloop99, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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