New Jersey Symphony Announces Budget Reduction Plans

The orchestra will consolidate its concert program weekends for the 2023/24 season as part of its overall budget reduction strategy

For its 2023/24 season beginning this October, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) will consolidate its classical series concert weekends and reduce its administrative staff by 15.4% through layoffs and the elimination of open positions. 

The orchestra’s current administrative employees will be required to take furloughs, while senior leadership will take pay cuts. The orchestra’s musicians, who recently signed a collective bargaining agreement, will not be affected.

For its Centennial Season in 2022, the NJSO saw a 57% increase in concert attendance for its 2022/23 season compared to the previous year, post-pandemic. 

However, as audiences for the classical series are around 25% below pre-pandemic levels, NJSO’s budget and program restructuring will consolidate the number of classical series concert weekends from 14 to 11. 

Increasing the number of performances on some of the remaining 11 classical weekends, will “allow the organization to better amortize the cost of rehearsals and other operating expenses,” explained NJSO in the New Jersey Stage. The restructured programs will save the orchestra an estimated $650,000.

As part of the consolidation, additional concert dates will be added for Beethoven’s “Eroica,” Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Respect: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin, and more. 

Additionally, a concert featuring New Jersey native Danny DeVito narrating the movie Matilda live-to-film, which was postponed due to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike, is expected to be rescheduled.

NJSO patrons who may be affected by the restructured programs will be notified by September 12, 2023.

The orchestra will continue to serve communities through its Community Partners program, which annually offers over 150 musical experiences in schools, community centers, healthcare facilities, senior living communities, and more.

“It was such a joy to celebrate the centennial of the Symphony last year with patrons across the state,” said NJSO’s music director, Xian Zhang. “Today, we take the first steps toward becoming a more nimble and adaptable organization, allowing us to continue bringing engaging musical experiences to the residents of New Jersey for years to come.”

“Our colleagues across the arts sector have all been feeling pain as we emerge from the pandemic. The New Jersey Symphony is, unfortunately, not immune from the impact of both recent cost increases of almost 30% and audience numbers that are only 75% of our pre-pandemic seasons,” added Gabriel van Aalst, NJSO’s president and CEO.

“Donations from our loyal supporters, as well as an increase in state funding, continue to help us through these difficult times,” van Aalst continued. “However, even with this generous support, we cannot fully cover the deficits we face. With an already fragile business model, we are compelled to adapt to a new more sustainable future.

“The changes we are making to this year’s season and beyond are intended to be proactive adjustments to avoid contributing to a national trend and set us on a path to delivering our mission in a financially responsible way, while continuing to provide great music-making across the state of New Jersey and beyond.”