San Antonio is sinking
OrchestrasThe SA Philharmonic has cancelled the rest of October while mired in disputes, financial and legal.
Here’s the current state of affairs, by Sanford Nowlin:
“The San Antonio Philharmonic has pushed back its Classics III concert series, originally scheduled for Oct. 18-19, until next spring, Executive Director Roberto Treviño confirmed. The postponement of the concerts—which are to feature piano soloist Jon Kimura Parker performing George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F—comes after two key Philharmonic donors sued the orchestra earlier this month to force repayment of what court documents called $180,000 in loans. The legal dispute arose following the exodus of at least a dozen Philharmonic employees, including Chief Financial Officer Sylvia Romo, in recent weeks … Treviño … said the postponement will allow the orchestra to focus on selling tickets to its performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, set for Nov. 16-17 … Said Treviño, a former District 1 councilman tapped to lead the Philharmonic last summer, ‘Rather than stretch out staff so thin by presenting the Classics III concert, then turning around and presenting our biggest concert of the year just a few weeks later, we’re choosing to focus right now on Beethoven 9.’ Musicians in the Philharmonic learned of the change in an Oct. 1 letter signed by Treviño and Music Director Jeffrey Kahane.”
I salute Jeffrey Kahane, Robert Treviño, and the wonderful musicians of the San Antonio Philharmonic for their heroic efforts to keep symphonic music alive and well in San Antonio. It’s clearly an uphill battle but very worth fighting for. And I’ll always make myself available for when we can all reschedule the date. Let’s keep this ship afloat!
Thank you, Mr Parker. I so looked forward to hearing you next week, especially after watching some of your YouTube videos with analysis. Here’s to your visit, hopefully this spring.
As a former member of SAS / SAPhil, we all know that Local 23 is the worst Union in all of AFM.
They destroyed this orchestra. Time and time again they have alienated donors and supporters.
Robert Trevino’s (SA Phil’s exec director) legacy as a city councilman – before he was voted out of office – was banning a fast food chain from the San Antonio Airport. Now the Philharmonic under his leadership has had near-100% staff turnover, CFO resigned the week of the first concerts, and the Phil has filed a lawsuit against a founding member of the orchestra and current musician (not to mention disgruntled donors)
https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio-philharmonic-turnover-staff-board/
Don’t forget they are also trying to find a new performance hall by entering into a partnership with the local Masonic lodge. It seems the temple is not up to ADA codes, needs multiple new systems (electric, plumbing, HVAC, and/or similar).
https://www.tpr.org/arts-culture/2024-09-08/the-san-antonio-philharmonic-has-found-a-new-home?_amp=true
The articles read like the building is an albatross around the masons neck, but somehow the SAPhil will raise the $50,000,000 (more like $90M) to restore it, while at the same time suing donors, and “postponing” classical concerts.
All to not own a venue!
Which fast food chain, just curious?
Toxic union + toxic executive director = a toxic stew poisonous to all.
Prescription to fix it:
No AF of M
No Trevino
How many disasters does it take to realize this?
https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/article/san-antonio-philharmonic-lawsuit-19811031.php
In perhaps their most innovative fundraising tactic so far, the Philharmonic is also suing their former donors/board members for damages of up to $1 million and a jury trial. This screams settlement.
Good luck to anyone– donors, board members, and musicians who wants aboard this ship.
“…Wood had previously offered mediation to Treviño and the philharmonic to settle the dispute”:
https://sanantonioreport.org/dueling-lawsuits-filed-in-ongoing-san-antonio-philharmonic-dispute/
May have been possible when it was just a loan recall by a donor, but a cash settlement doesn’t seem likely now given that both boards are now asking for a jury ruling to establish legitimacy. They passed the off ramp a few weeks ago
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When the Philharmonic started in 2022, the focus was on the success of the local musicians in the orchestra, young people’s concerts, and season concerts – which were well-attended, with tickets affordable for the community, intermission refreshments (a community gathering place), and other hospitality in close collaboration with their host at FBC (who is no longer on the sitting board). A resident conductor (whether or not in an official capacity) from the community was involved and supported as needed; it seems this individual had to buy their own tickets at the latest Classics concert (comp ticket holders were being seated in the partially empty expensive sections).
Now concerts are poorly-attended, ticket prices for Beethoven 9 START at $74, YPC are not scheduled due to lack of funding, and contracted October concerts have been cancelled (not to mention uncertainty about the rest of the season). The Philharmonic’s media has coverage focused around moving staff offices to “the most neglected part of the city” (required $100k of renovations), their $50M renovation partnership with a 1924 historic landmark (which was entered into without consulting the Philharmonic’s then-CFO), and cameos of Kahane / guest artists. None of these are bad initiatives given adequate funding and stability, but the priorities seem to have shifted as of late.
The people of San Antonio turned up for the musicians of the Philharmonic (and former Symphony) from it’s inception, now we’re not sure what it is we’re being asked to support…
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“As soon as I became executive director, I was adamant about moving to the West Side.” – Robert Trevino
https://www.expressnews.com/columnist/elaine-ayala/article/philharmonic-west-side-avenida-guadalupe-18306002.php
$50M renovation of ADA non-compliant historical building:
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/san-antonio-philharmonic-joins-the-scottish-rite-cathedral-in-historic-partnership-arts-culture-music
I was shocked to read that this orchestra was sinking. I’d always assumed that San Antonio rose.
It’s interesting that people here attack unions so badly. I love how we think people shouldn’t get an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work. Oh the musicians are so bad for wanting to be paid for their talents. You all love to say that they’re great musicians but then think they’re terrible people for wanting to be paid for being great musicians.
In this case, it seems to be the San Antonio union musicians that are not happy with the San Antonio local union. In previous comments on this website about San Antonio, there have been a thorough (and seemingly justified) airing of grievances from individuals claiming to be San Antonio musicians.
See comments section:
https://slippedisc.com/2024/09/two-donors-sue-us-orchestra/
Most commenters here have been quite specific about their grievances with ‘this’ particular local, and not an indictment on the union system overall, let alone the AFM network (though some accountability from them would certainly be appreciated.)
Painting anyone with a broad stroke as ‘anti-union’ or ‘pro-union’ is not the point here and takes away the crux of the discussion. I would also imagine almost everyone here would agree that musicians deserve to be paid adequately, union or not.
The reality is, the SAS/SAPhil saga is a decades old problem that has no simple solution. If there were, someone likely would’ve dealt with it.
I once auditioned for this orchestra – back in the mid or late 90s, I guess. A couple of years later, I was told that they had had to cancel the latter half of their season.
I guess I dodged a bullet back then.
That means having a bad audition is a good thing?
Democrats and union members in action. Don’t listen to what they say just watch the results of their disastrous actions.
Couldn’t have said it better
Maybe the musicians could cut back to a chamber orchestra and find a smaller venue?
Or be a group of strolling players and need no venue.
Where is Prince Esterhazy when you need him?
Downsizing was a discussion-ender at any negotiations when the organization was still the symphony.
We all want to find an angel investor who would magically gift $10 million with fairy dust. That is unfortunately not the reality.
There is certainly money in this city to support an orchestra. Unfortunately, this group has alienated so many people in the donor-sphere of the city that fundraising will only become more daunting, if they last.
…and the latest news cycle will only make things worse. Even if the jury rules in favor of the donors / original board, there will be extensive financial and PR damage from which to recover just to get the season back on track. If they rule in favor of Trevino / new board then punitive damages awarded may cover short-term “fundraising” needs, but the precedent has been set that the organization has no scruples about suing anyone who doesn’t play along
We should make symphony kool..good sound systems..attract a young audience it can be done..classics are invigorating captivating hair raising…we need to modernize the venues..
3rd rate city
Good job mayor ron
Here’s some hard news but the musicians need to hear it and believe it. The Phil has less than $50k left in the bank. No money is coming in. The rent is not being paid, nor any other bills. They are trying to get the County to pay early and pay all of the budgeted money but they won’t. Nothing is being rescheduled. Nutcracker is not happening. Beethoven 9 is not happening. They are pretending to put on concerts so that the ED can keep paying himself until all the money is gone. Musicians and season ticket holders be damned.
The greatest tragedy here is that the former SAS musicians have already blown their years of accumulated social capital with the community in building the Philharmonic. To restart and build a third iteration of this orchestra will be exponentially more difficult (not saying impossible…)
Nothing will change if people like Brian Petkovich continue to hold any power or have any type of influence over the music scene in San Antonio. Terrible bassoonist, disgusting person, only surpassed by being more terrible as a leader.
He has wanted for decades the opportunity to form a new orchestra and finally got the chance. Almost vomited looking at him smugly taking credit in front of media. Look at the mess he has created. He hired totally unqualified union sympathizers to the top roles. He had alienated even more donors and supporters. He alienated all his colleagues.
IF SAS is to try to start another time, the Brian gang needs to be banished from the city, or nothing will change. This union needs to be destroyed.
Well, judging from how many people on stage now who were SAS players and not part of the Local 23 goon squad, I’d say the chances of that are pretty slim.
Having met some folks from the ‘other’ band in town, the only reason why they haven’t been able to work with ex-SAS people is L23 and all the hearsay/lies they created to give them a bad rep amongst some. Soon, we are going to see more organizations back them as SA Phil’s infighting continues…
It sounds like new oversight is needed…is/was David Wood, in conjunction with the old board, the solution to this crisis? Or is he the second coming of Lord Voldemort come to take concerts away from schoolchildren? The perception from within seems to be the latter, but of course there is immense pressure from the establishment musicians not to say anything negative about this group or it’s leadership
To anybody that thinks the Phil will ever perform again, I’ve got a Scottish Rite to sell you.
I heard Kahane’s piano was just repossessed from his office. Maybe Treviño will sue Steinway.
Do you have source/evidence on this? (I also heard Sasquatch took away his baton this morning)
I received an email sent 10/16/24 at 5:10 PM from Roberto C. Treviño of SAPhil. It was an invitation to the signing ceremony at the Scottish Rite building. It is short notice since the ceremony takes place the morning of 10/17/24. As a former season subscriber for many years I find it incredibly foolish to commit to a partnership estimated to cost at least $50 million for use of a century-old facility.
It was last-minute because the morning of 10/17 was supposed to be a rehearsal for the concerts they cancelled
News article I read this morning stated that the October concert that was postponed will now be taking the place of the Augustin Hadelich concert that was scheduled for January at the Majestic. I’ve reached out to the Majestic for confirmation since I was never notified that Hadelich was being rescheduled, but in the meantime, checked Hadelich’s website, which no longer shows the performances on his schedule………..