Atlanta Symphony announces more salary cuts

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced extensive salary cuts Tuesday for the second time in less than a month, this time targeting cellists and violinists.

Symphony officials said 95 unionized musicians agreed to take a 5 percent pay cut through 2010 and 3.8 percent reduction the year after as part of an effort to fill a $3 million budget hole. The cuts are included in a four-year plan expected to save $4.2 million.

Atlanta is among symphonies in Charleston, S.C., Portland, Maine, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that have announced layoffs, furloughs and hiring freezes in recent months. The symphonies are trying to cope with sinking endowments and sluggish ticket sales.

"We hope our community will take notice of these extraordinary actions, and we are confident in an even stronger Atlanta Symphony moving forward," cellist Daniel Laufer, president of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players Association, said in a news release.

Last month, the symphony announced pay cuts, furloughs and a hiring freeze until May 31. Those cuts have been extended into 2012. The group also announced then it would trim the salaries of President Allison Vulgamore and music director Robert Spano over two years.

The orchestra musicians have agreed to leave at least two positions vacant and take pay cuts all four years. In addition, the symphony's four vice presidents will take a 6 percent cut, with the 68 other administrative staffers taking a 5 percent cut, and administrators will take unpaid leave, ranging from 13 to 18 days.

The symphony also will not perform free concerts in the city's Piedmont Park this summer, and recordings will be limited this year.

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Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: http://www.atlantasymphony.org/