Wichita Symphony Orchestra votes to reduce pay

(WICHITA, Kan.) — The Wichita Symphony announced Monday members of the Symphony Orchestra voted to approve a contract with the Wichita Symphony Society which reduces their pay for the 2011-12.

“We deeply appreciate the musicians making this commitment to the financial health of the Symphony through these difficult times,” said Kurt Harper, chairman of the contract negotiating committee and secretary of the Wichita Symphony Society. “Their fine musicianship is matched by their generosity in this new agreement.”

The musicians voted to take about a 20 percent wage cut for the 2011-12 season in addition to previous-agreed upon cuts over the past two seasons. The Wichita Symphony Orchestra has 84 members who play on a part-time basis.

During a season, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra performs 16 Classics concerts, two Pops concerts, a casual “Blue Jeans” concert and two free city-wide concerts. Its educational offerings include 12 Young People’s Concerts, up to 50 in-school concerts and sponsorship of three youth orchestras.