Welcome to the San Francisco Symphony Patrons Alliance
We are a grassroots coalition of audience advocates who are committed to ensuring world-class symphonic music remains in our community for present and future generations.
The San Francisco Symphony is currently facing a leadership crisis that threatens not only the group's ability to serve the Bay Area, but also its stature as one of the world’s leading orchestras. Join us as we expand upon the Save Our Symphony (SOS) movement started by the SFS musicians, offering our staunch support and assistance.
the current situation
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Esteemed conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen will be stepping down from his role as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony in June 2025 because he does “not share the same goals for the future of the institution as the Board of Governors.”
The board has canceled future SFS tours and implemented a series of program reductions without any indication of when they would return.
The board has not yet begun searching for a replacement music director, even though this process often takes multiple years.
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With their contract expiring on November 18, 2024, the SFS musicians offered to begin early negotiations this summer. The administration turned down this offer.
The SFS Chorus contract expired on July 31, 2024. A proposed budget cut by SFS management would reduce the SFS Chorus budget by 80% and reduce the number of professional choristers.
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SFS leadership has been pushing a narrative of financial challenges to explain away the loss of the orchestra's music director, while touting a story of success in other settings.
When asked for clarification around publicly available financial data that challenges the narrative of financial hardship, leadership has discounted large one-time donations and claimed audited numbers lack context.
At the same time, CEO remarks at the annual board meeting in June 2024 celebrated a rebound in ticket sales, a growing subscriber base, and a record-setting year of earned concert revenue.
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While things are never easy for orchestras and arts organizations, the audited financial statements from the San Francisco Symphony show a strong foundation.
The symphony’s endowment is growing faster than those of other major U.S. orchestras.
Comparing 2023 to 2018, donor contributions are up 10% and concert expenses are down 8%.
In the same period, however, the organization was weighed down by fundraising costs that rose more than 30% and administrative expenses that more than doubled.
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The SF Opera has also been pushing a narrative of financial hardship and has reduced the number of productions this season.
The contract for the SF Opera orchestra musicians expired on July 31, 2024.
how this could play out
Given the situation, there are only two reasonable ways to explain what’s going on. Either there is a plan that involves extracting concessions from the musicians and potentially merging the symphony with another performing group, or there is no plan and leadership is simply floundering.
Either way, the status quo is unacceptable and audience action is needed to reset the organization for success.
San Francisco is at a pivotal moment of reinvention, and losing the Symphony would be a severe blow to our community.
Creativity and innovation have always been cornerstones of San Francisco, making it a vibrant home for artists and visionaries. As we redefine our city's identity, it is crucial that the arts, including the symphony, remain central to our community. Even if classical music isn't your passion, losing this renowned group due to poor leadership would be an embarrassment to our city.
How can I help?
Getting results has always required audience participation. Here are some key ways you can offer your support:
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Spend time reading the articles about this situation to boost engagement metrics
Recruit your friends, family, and colleagues who are writers, event planners, artists, social media mavens, and analysts to help spread awareness
Read up on past orchestral labor disputes to gain insight on how audience advocacy has worked in other cities
join the movement.
We need your help in order to keep world-class symphonic music in our community for present and future generations.
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