Fort Wayne Philharmonic Cancels Concerts and Events Through February

Fort Wayne, IN (January 11, 2023) — Despite requesting a deadline extension to consider the Philharmonic’s best and final offer for a new contract the Local 58, Fort Wayne Musicians Association voted tonight to reject the offer that includes a wage increase of 45.8% over the next four years. Without a contract with the Musicians, the Philharmonic must cancel all scheduled concerts and community events through February.

In a good faith effort to resolve the strike and bring music back to its stage, the Philharmonic Board of Directors authorized a rare draw on the organization’s unrestricted endowment funds so it could increase the wage offer to Musicians. “Without Musicians, who remain on strike, and out of respect for Philharmonic patrons and the many people such as our guest artists, venue staff, stagehands, and others who work events, we must cancel all concerts and community engagement events through the end of February,” said Philharmonic President and CEO Brittany Hall.

Philharmonic Board Chair Rick James said, “The Board of Directors has been leading this orchestra for 79 years and is doing everything in our power to steward and grow a sustainable and healthy organization that will serve Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana for another 100 years. You have my assurance that as Board Chair and long-time member of this community, we want to get our musicians back on stage at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Due to the accumulating losses of over $300,000 in revenue during the strike, the Philharmonic will implement necessary cost-saving measures, including no longer paying for the employer-sponsored health insurance for the Musicians as of Feb. 1. Musicians have received the benefit during the work stoppage.

If you are a Philharmonic ticketholder to one or more of the canceled performances click here for ticketing options.

Cancelled concert dates are:
January 28 – Yefim Bronfman Plays Rachmaninoff
February 4 – Ann Hampton Callaway Sings The Streisand Songbook
February 9 – Freimann Quartet Plays Fanny Mendelssohn
February 11 – Johnny Appleseed Goes to the Symphony
February 12 – Freimann Quartet Plays Fanny Mendelssohn
February 18 – Beethoven Violin Concerto
 
Cancelled community engagement dates are:
February 2 – Jackson R. Lehman YMCA, Stories in Music: Where the Wild Things Are
February 7 – Warsaw Public Library, Stories in Music: Peter & the Wolf
February 8 – Parkview Family YMCA, Stories in Music: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
February 9 – Jorgensen Family YMCA, Stories in Music: Where the Wild Things Are

The Philharmonic remains available to clarify or answer any questions union representatives may have regarding the final offer and continues to be optimistic about the work that’s been done towards an agreement and getting music back to the community.