On Sept. 28, the Nashville Symphony suspended the 2026-27 season effective Oct. 18 and furloughed roughly half of its staff alongside all 77 members of the orchestra.
The Grammy Award-winning organization declared a state of "financial emergency," drawing a range of reactions, from outrage that Music City's artistic infrastructure hasn't rescued the Symphony to an outpouring of support from organizations ready to lend a helping hand.
The news follows the death of the symphony's longtime champion, Martha Ingram, whose contributions kept the organization financially afloat throughout multiple decades.
The symphony had already announced on Sept. 23 it was in a financial crisis and considering a "restructuring plan."
Five days later, the symphony's
board of directors passed a resolution announcing the first step of this plan, which addresses a $10 million deficit in the organization's current fiscal year operating budget.
At this time, 29 full-time staff members remain, while 27 were furloughed.
Here's what to know about the reactions pouring in from Nashvillians, musicians and fellow arts organizations.
'Do better Nashville.'
"This is heartbreaking," one commenter posted to the symphony's furlough announcement post.
"How can this Music City pour money into stadiums to teams who have never even been to a Super Bowl and tourists corporations but forget about the classics that have been here long before," continued the comment, which has garnered more than 1,000 likes.
Another local commented about memories made at symphony shows, including one with special guest Itzhak Pearlman, and ended with the succinct "Do better Nashville."
Another Instagram user said that, before donating, prospective supporters would like to know "how the board approved a budget with a $10M deficit."
"How can Music City, USA not support its own symphony orchestra?" yet another person commented, in the same vein.
Others have suggested the city subsidize costs, using taxpayer funds, and expressed confusion over how the situation became so dire.
One commenter kept it simple: "@taylorswift you have the opportunity to do something really cool."
'Barely 3 weeks notice to have no pay or health insurance'
Nashville Symphony music director Leonard Slatkin said he intends to remain the Nashville Symphony’s music director.
“As I process this difficult situation, I am filled with deep gratitude for everyone who has poured their talent, care, and dedication into this orchestra," Slatkin said.
Some of the symphony's musicians and featured performers have begun speaking out about the loss of work.
"No words, second time in 6 years to get furloughed," viola player Clare Yang wrote on Instagram. "This time with barely 3 weeks notice to have no pay or health insurance."
The Tennessean has reached out to the Orchestra Committee for further comment.
"For many years I have praised this symphony as being the best with whom a musician can perform," singer-songwriter Richard Marx said on the symphony's post. He has performed alongside the symphony and was scheduled to hit the stage once again on Nov. 4.
"While I stand with the musical ladies and gentlemen of the symphony, the fact that the corporate men and women made this announcement without warning the artists on the schedule and their representatives in advance is unforgivable."
The symphony's CMO, Matthew Merker, responded to Marx directly on Instagram.
"I want to apologize directly. You're right. You and your agent should have heard this from us before it became public, and we let you down."
Orchestral pop singer Cody Fry shared a similar story. He had two shows on the books with the symphony, which were canceled.
"My team and I were not informed in advance of the decision and we found out just like all of you," he said in an Instagram video, adding fans will be able to get a refund, and that an email sharing more information about refunds will go out later this week.
"I live in Nashville, so this literally hits home for me," Fry said.
"I know many of the members of the symphony personally and a lot of them have played on my records. These are some of the best musicians in the entire world. Today I'm thinking of them, and the staff that supports them."
'We're here for you.'
Various organizations have reached out to support members of the Nashville Symphony who will be without pay for the near future.
"Our hearts are with every musician, staff member, and music professional impacted by this news," wrote MusiCares, a nonprofit organization founded by the Recording Academy that acts as a safety net providing health, financial, and rehabilitation services for music professionals.
"MusiCares may be able to help those experiencing a loss of work as a result of this season's cancellation," they said.
"Reach out to us at help@musicares.org or by calling 800-687-4227. Sending hugs and well wishes to our Nashville music community! We're here for you."
Nashville Ballet, which collaborates closely with the symphony, also offered support.
Their production of "Giselle" with music from the Nashville Symphony will proceed Oct. 2-4.
"Looking ahead, we are committed to finding ways to work directly with as many of the talented Nashville Symphony musicians who were furloughed as possible, so that they may continue to add to our live performance experience for Music City’s favorite holiday tradition, 'Nashville’s Nutcracker' and 'Cinderella' in February," Nashville Ballet said in a press release.
"We are exploring every avenue to ensure that we have live music for all of these great performances."
What to know about Symphony furloughs
Financial struggles aren't new for the symphony, which was facing foreclosure in 2013 when billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist Martha Ingram led the campaign to save the organization.
Ingram helped assume a $20 million mortgage through Symplace Realty Co. to stabilize the institution and went on to serve long-term on the Nashville Symphony Association board.
When Ingram died at age 90 on Aug. 6, the classical music community was heartbroken to lose both a community leader and the symphony's leading benefactor.
In announcing the furloughs, former Symphony CEO Mark Cantrell pointed to the organization's longtime reliance on her support. Cantrell, who began his tenure as CEO in August, stepped down on Sept 29. Before his departure, he explained that the restructuring plan will continue to develop in the coming months as a collaborative effort by the symphony’s leadership, board of directors and musicians.
“The extraordinary generosity of one donor sustained the organization," Cantrell said, referring to the late Martha Ingram, "but that generosity was never a substitute for the broad community support and sound financial stewardship its future requires."
To support the Nashville Symphony's recovery efforts, visit nashvillesymphony.org/contribute/donate-now.
Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com. Follow her on Instagram at @audreyraegibbs.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Symphony furloughs, canceled season draw outrage: 'Do better Nashville'
