Friday, November 6, 2020

Supporting Musicians During COVID - 19

     COVID - 19 has effected all of us in the music business. Some of us are fortunate to continue performing for live audiences, but even those lucky few are not performing the number of gigs before the virus. In other words, there is no sustained work for musicians. This includes symphony orchestra musicians.


     Symphony orchestras operate with an overhead of financial commitments to its employees. These employees are not only musicians, but other support and professional staff to oversee and promote orchestra business, such as ushers, box office personnel, and maintenance workers. This has not gone unnoted to supporters of orchestras. Supporters of the Boston Symphony Orchestra have put-up a GoFundMe account to raise $100,000 for laid off employees of that orchestra.


     An organizer supporting Boston Symphony employees who have been laid off established a GoFundMe fund for laid off employees to secure financial assistance of $500.00 for furloughed employees. Each employee received more than the original $500.00 goal. Employees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra were laid off on August 21, 2020, began receiving disbursement of funds the week of September 14. These pay-outs were given to both full-time and part-time BSO employees.


     During COVID - 19 fans are not flocking to concert halls to see orchestras, or any musical groups at 100% capacity. However, music organizations are putting together performances for a limited number of people, with social distancing, face mask, and other protective measures.