A Crescendo of Budget Problems

From a $5 bill to a $40-million grant, thousands of patrons gave to rescue the nation's second-oldest orchestra -- one that brought world-class talent to the ornate stage of Powell Symphony Hall. In 3 1/2 years, the community raised $130 million.

Last week, it became clear that it wasn't enough.

Instead of rehearsing Bartok's "The Wooden Prince" with their new music director, acclaimed conductor David Robertson, the symphony's 93 musicians were walking a picket line in a cold rain. This weekend's concerts were canceled. And the rest of the season is in jeopardy.

The musicians are demanding that the symphony dip into its donation-fattened endowment to give them raises. Management refuses, insisting that the fund be left intact to ensure the 125-year-old symphony never again faces bankruptcy.

The impasse here is a reflection of the immense strains threatening orchestras across the nation.

Intense and often divisive contract negotiations consumed three of the nation's top orchestras last fall: Chicago, Cleveland and Philadelphia. All were settled without strikes.

But analysts say they and many smaller groups are struggling to produce soaring music amid a financial crunch brought on by the high cost of health benefits, a downturn in ticket sales, and the challenge of attracting donations in a still-struggling economy.

Close to 90% of the country's orchestras ran a budget deficit last year, according to Jack McAuliffe, vice president of the American Symphony Orchestra League, a trade association. "The last three or four years have been very challenging," he said.

To survive, both musicians and management have had to give.

Contracts that traditionally set rigid limits on rehearsal times and performance dates have been amended so orchestras can reach out to new audiences.

In Philadelphia, musicians have agreed for the first time to perform on Sundays. St. Louis offers Friday morning concerts, over doughnuts, to attract senior citizens reluctant to drive at night. The New York Philharmonic stages occasional concerts from 5 to 6 p.m.; they're billed as a chance for commuters to avoid the evening rush hour by staying in the city with Brahms or Beethoven.