ASO Musicians Hold Protest After Cancelled Performances

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra cancelled the September and October performances earlier this week due to issues between the orchestra and musicians.

According to Access Atlanta, around 300 musicians and supporters gathered outside of the Woodruff Arts Center. The musicians wore their tuxes and gowns and some carried instruments during the silent half-hour protest.

The protest was quiet besides supportive applause for the musicians. Signs displaying “Will Play for Food” and “End the lockout. Start the music” were among the crowd, Access Atlanta reports.

When the orchestra and musicians couldn’t come to an agreement after the musicians made a proposal that would add $2 - $2.5 million to the deficit, the Woodruff Arts Center locked out the musicians for the second time in two years.

“These are the unfortunate economic realities we face. If we are to have a strong future, we must take care of our business now to make sure we stay in business,” Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President & CEO Stanley E. Romanstein said. “At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: an artistically vibrant and financially stable ASO that serves this community for years to come. I’m confident that we’ll get there, and I’m immensely grateful for the continued support of the community.”

Read more on the protest at Access Atlanta.

Photo Credit: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Facebook