The San Francisco Symphony Chorus, comprising both paid union members and unpaid volunteers, is facing an 80% budget cut proposed by the orchestra’s management, according to an open letter published by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) on July 11. The AGMA argues the significant cut is disproportionate and harmful given the chorus’s small share of the overall budget and its important role in boosting ticket sales and donations. The letter calls for a more transparent and equitable approach to resolving the organization’s financial challenges — which already resulted in star conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen’s decision to part ways — without undermining the chorus or exploiting unpaid singers.
Why it matters:
- Vital artistic contribution: The San Francisco Symphony Chorus is essential for attracting audiences and donors, making severe budget cuts detrimental to the orchestra’s financial health and artistic excellence.
- Labor fairness: Reducing the number of paid union choristers in favor of unpaid singers devalues their skills and contributions, reflecting poorly on the management’s commitment to fair labor practices and potentially diminishing the talent pool in the Bay Area.
