The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) has canceled the first two weekends of its new season after contract negotiations between the ISO and American Federation of Musicians Local 3 stalled Saturday.
In a statement Saturday, the orchestra announced it has decided to cancel its first 5 performances of 2012-2013 season - a classical concert "Beethoven & Dvorak," originally scheduled for Sept. 14-15, and a pops concert "TF3 & The ISO," scheduled for Sept. 21-23. The organization said even a short-term extension of musicians' contracts which expired Sept. 2 would intensify the orchestra's financial woes.
"The gap between what the musicians' union is proposing and what is essential to economically sustain the ISO's future is just too great," the symphony said in a statement.
The musicians' union had proposed a two-month extension of the contract. The proposal would have allowed the musicians to play at a weekly rate of $1250, 16.7 percent less than their current weekly rate.
According to Richard Graef, chief union negotiator, the musicians were "stunned and saddened" by the organization's decision to reject their latest proposal.
More concert could get cancelled "unless an agreement is reached soon," said the officials.
