Updated 1/11 6 p.m. with contract agreement.
The San Antonio Symphony is close to reaching an agreement with the musicians' union on a contract to finish out the 2018 season, said union representative Craig Sorgi on Thursday. The new contract is "largely an extension of the existing one, but with a few minor tweaks," he said. Part of the new contract allows the use of social media and streaming video of symphony performances as part of its marketing strategy to reach a younger audience, he said.
Original story
San Antonio Symphony music director Sebastian Lang-Lessing said Wednesday afternoon that commitments of a cash infusion from San Antonio and Bexar County, plus an increase in patron donations have restored most of the performance season.
The city will give $368,400 to the symphony. This was already budgeted before the season was cut short, Lang-Lessing said. The county is donating up to $350,000 in a dollar-to-dollar match with donors.
"The season will basically stay intact as advertised,” Lang-Lessing said. “There are a few little changes that we want to make. With the movies, for example, the tickets have already been reimbursed."
Lang-Lessing is referring to symphony performances at the Majestic Theatre wherein a movie is shown and the symphony provides the music.
Councilman Roberto Trevino verified Lang-Lessing’s comments and added, "A city cannot cultivate what it does not honor. And here in San Antonio, we must honor the arts. We must honor the Symphony."
Jack Morgan can be reached at jack@tpr.org
