Since its inception in 1998, the Key West Symphony has relied on musicians from outside of south Florida to fill its chairs. Musicians have come from Chicago, New York, Baltimore, and other cities to perform three concerts per season in Key West. This season, the Symphony expanded to include performances at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. Not only were they unable to meet payroll for their January concert, they were unable to reimburse musicians for travel expenses, leaving musicians on the hook for their airfare. Additionally, some musicians have reported being contacted by collection agencies representing rental car companies the Symphony engaged to shuttle musicians between Key West and Fort Lauderdale.
Musicians had previously been told that the Symphony's April concert would be canceled, with hopes that the Symphony would resume operations in the fall. However, to add insult to injury, it is now being reported that the Symphony stands to lose grant money if they cancel the April concert, and is now asking musicians to perform for free in April to help dig the Symphony out of its financial hole.
Musicians who are approached to perform for the Key West Symphony/South Florida Symphony should contact Local 655 immediately to get an update on the situation before accepting any work for them.