after nine years...oh well...


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Posted by Wade Rackley on March 29, 2002 at 12:34:34:

After nine years of employment, it looks like my wife and I will both (along with all of our colleagues) will be back to saying "You want fries with that?"

The following email was in my IN box today:


To: All Concerned
From: Mimi Linehan, MSO Orchestra Committee Chair
Date: March 28, 2002
re: MSO finances

The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is feeling the trickle down effects of the
terrorism in September and the general slump in the economy. These
accompanied with the costs of a long awaited return to larger, more symphonic
programming, and a belated start on marketing of next season, have combined
to put the MSO in a major cash crunch. Musician, conductor, and staff
salaries are not being paid in full for the March 31 pay period. Pay is
estimated to be at about 45% for each person. The April 15 payroll is also
not fully funded at this point, and MSO President and CEO Robert Reed cannot
predict whether the income in the meantime will be sufficient to fund it.

Right now the players are being 100% supportive of the Board’s and staff’s
efforts to raise money, and we have a meeting scheduled for Monday, at which
we will, among other business, determine how best to assist with the
fundraising, and pull ourselves through this painful period.

If, in the worst case scenario, the problems persist despite all efforts, we
will have to consider the possibility of stopping the music. Musicians can
live on music alone for only so long. Hopefully we can get the financial
support we need. Mississippi and Jackson are not the cultural voids some
people might assume, and the folks here take a certain amount of pride in
supporting art and artists.

Community members are urged to buy tickets now for upcoming concerts, and to
support the symphony with donations as well. Others can send their ideas on
fundraising and supplemental employment for starving artists.





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