Watch CBS News

Orchestra Cancels Season Over Money Woes; No Pay For Staff

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — The curtain's closing on a Pennsylvania orchestra.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic said Friday it's canceling the upcoming season because of financial problems. The 45-year-old orchestra will play one concert in October and then shut down while it figures out its next moves.

Local High School Orchestra Gets Invited To Play Carnegie Hall

The orchestra ended last season with a $235,000 deficit. Officials say the executive director, the music director and the office staff have gone months without a paycheck. Musicians declined to take a 30 percent pay cut.

Orchestra officials say it'll take $1.1 million to produce the 2017-18 season. They're encouraging corporate sponsors, donors and Philharmonic fans to raise money to "keep the orchestra alive."

(Copyright 2017 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.