The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Cuts Orchestra Size to Help Financial Woes

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra said it is "in danger of running out of money and faces possible extinction if additional pledges cannot be secured to fund the MSO's much more modest, prudent budget and business plan for the future."

"In this critical time in the existence of the MSO, we have reached an unprecedented level of collaboration among the key players in the organization: the musicians, the music director, administrative staff, and partners such as the Marcus Center (for the Performing Arts) and Florentine Opera," said Mark Niehaus, president and executive director of the MSO. "Though we are admittedly at a crucially challenging point in the MSO's history, I believe this level of collaboration speaks to what an important asset the MSO is, and that this community as a whole is willing to go to great lengths to keep the symphony here in Milwaukee."

On Friday, the MSO said they will cut the size of its orchestra and change its schedule of performances while seeking emergency financial assistance. It reported a $2 million budget shortfall in 2013.

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