66 Phoenix Symphony Musicians Lose Pay as Season Ends Early

The 66 musicians of the Phoenix Symphony will be out of work next week after the orchestra’s board of directors voted to suspend the remainder of the 2026-27 season. The decision, announced last week, means the ensemble will play its final concert of the season on Nov. 1, leaving the players without income for the rest of the year due to a lack of funding.

Community members have begun organizing immediate financial and social support for the players. Small Giants, a Phoenix-based marketing agency, hosted a 20th-anniversary office party Wednesday night and invited several symphony members to perform in the lobby. The event served a dual purpose: celebrating the firm’s milestone and drawing attention to the musicians’ sudden unemployment.

Danielle Feroleto, the CEO of Small Giants, said she wanted to take action after hearing the news. She noted that her company is full of creatives who understand the impact the city will feel without a symphony after Friday’s final performance. “That’s something everyone should be concerned about,” Feroleto said. To provide direct aid, she set up a GoFundMe page. The funds collected will help musicians pay bills, buy food, and cover other personal expenses during their time off.

Thea Humphries, a French horn player in the orchestra, expressed gratitude for the local response. She told reporters the players are impressed by how much support has come from the city and its residents. “We’re really grateful for all the support [the] community has shown,” Humphries said.

Tuba player Thea Cristina Cutts highlighted the personal toll of the sudden shutdown. She said many of her colleagues have families who were not financially prepared for the orchestra to stop performing so abruptly. Cutts emphasized that the musicians have undergone extensive training and auditions to reach their current positions. “We all have worked really hard to get to where we are,” Cutts said. “We’re not going anywhere.”

The suspension effectively ends the season early, forcing the players to seek temporary income sources or rely on community donations until the next season begins. The GoFundMe page remains open for those wishing to contribute directly to the musicians' expenses.