The Phoenix Symphony announced Wednesday that its Nov. 1 performance would be its last for now, suspending its 2026-27 season amid $2.8 million in debt.
To be clear, the 80-year-old nonprofit didn’t say it’s closing down permanently. A press release stated that the board will work toward “building a long-term foundation,” adding, “The goal is to reopen as soon as possible. However, when, or whether, performances will resume is not yet known.”
The news provoked shock, sadness and a slew of questions on social media. Phoenix New Times emailed the Symphony a list of 10 questions yesterday for clarification but hasn’t received answers yet.
Instead, crisis communications professional David Leibowitz responded, “We’re reviewing the questions we’re receiving from reporters, patrons and other stakeholders and will continue providing verified information as it becomes available.”
What the Symphony says
Most of the details that the Symphony has publicly provided about the suspension are on its website under the tab “Updates.”
It clearly states the season is not canceled. But what if you already bought tickets?
The website says, “Affected ticket purchasers will be contacted directly about the options available to them, including any applicable credits, donations or refunds, once the procedures and financial arrangements have been confirmed.”
The “Updates” section also says that the Symphony needs $10 million in the “near term.”
Confusingly, the press release also says, “The $60 million CRESCENDO endowment campaign was launched in April 2025 to create a long-term funding source for The Symphony. However, essential costs have continued to increase, the majority of endowment gifts are unable to be used for day-to-day funding needs and philanthropic contributions for the current fiscal year have not reached the levels needed to sustain operations.”
This made some on social media wonder what the $60 million will be used for, if not to keep the organization open. First, that number is a goal. It is unclear how much is in hand.
A Symphony press release from April 30, 2025, says more than $10 million was committed at the outset. The website gives no further information about the current amount.
Also, the bulk of the endowment cannot be used for general operating expenses.
The site says that $20 million would be for “Community Engagement and Education programs and to achieve a multi-year agreement with our musicians.” The other $40 million is for ensuring long-term financial stability, creating a financial buffer and providing new programs and initiatives.
What the musicians say
Phoenix New Times was unable to reach any Symphony musicians by the deadline to ask about the news.
However, @phoenixsymphonymusicians on Instagram posted a statement on Wednesday saying they’re “shocked and heartbroken over the Directors’ decision to suspend our 2026-2027 season and to lay off all musicians, effective November 2nd.”
It continues, “Sixty-six musicians will lose their income in less than two weeks. This includes musicians who have relocated just months ago to join the Symphony and make Phoenix their home. This includes five married couples who will lose their entire household income in thirteen days.”
The post also notes that many temporary contract and local freelance musicians will suffer.
Phoenix New Times messaged the account three times. We also messaged @afm_union, the American Federation of Musicians, a labor union representing professional musicians in the United States and Canada, and called their communications office to ask whether the musicians are currently negotiating a contract.
We will update the article if we hear back.
What the numbers say
The Symphony hasn’t yet answered several emailed questions about its financial struggles.
These included what led to the issues, why it waited until the season started to make this move; why it hired a new music director, Paolo Bortolameolli, amid much fanfare last March; whether any employees other than CEO Peter Kjome will be paid during the suspension; or what, specifically, is being done to help the musicians and staff whose pay has been cut off.
It announced on Oct. 14 that it had hired a new vice president of development, Naquana Borrero, to lead money-raising efforts. The release about the season’s suspension didn’t mention her.
According to the Symphony’s 2024 IRS Form 990 and comments from Kjome in other sources, its financial issues aren’t new.
The form reports expenses of over $13.5 million and revenue of $10.5 million. ProPublica shows that for the fiscal year ending June 2025, expenses were about $14.36 million and revenue was about $12.35 million.
Even if the entire executive committee gave up their salary for a year, though, it wouldn’t make a dent. The ProPublica listing shows executive compensation at about $992,000; Kjome’s salary is listed at roughly $305,000.
The IRS forms show ticket sales last year were about $3.8 million, and while they haven’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels, they’ve steadily increased.
Unlike the vast majority of nonprofits, the Symphony doesn’t publicly provide annual reports or other financial statements on its website. A link to reports is password-protected.
We will follow up as we get more information.
If you want to attend a Phoenix Symphony performance before it suspends its season, tickets are available for “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert,” a screening of the film with Conner Gray Convington conducting. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. Tickets start at $36.
Update, Oct. 23: The Symphony has issued an update explaining more details about its financial crisis and the timing of the decision to suspend the season. You can read it on the Phoenix Symphony website.
