Phoenix Symphony musicians launch campaign

More than 60 Phoenix Symphony musicians are facing layoffs on Monday and now they're fighting to make sure that their voices and their stories are being heard. That campaign comes after the symphony announced plans to suspend operations, citing a lack of financial resources. Fox 10's Jacob Luthi joins us now with what comes next for them. Jacob. Yeah, Mark Ellen, good evening. Tonight was one of those final shows. Again, it ends On Sunday, and those who decided to come take a listen to the music from the Pirates of the Caribbean tonight, if you're walking through, you're probably handed a flyer like this one. It talks about how the musicians were blindsided by the board's decision to suspend operations, but they say they're not going anywhere. They're still willing to come up with some sort of negotiation, some sort of contract so that they can continue working. Because again, after Sunday, the only thing that is certain is the uncertainty. I started playing cello when I was four. For Bridget Pasquer, being a musician is in her blood. My mom is a violinist. Earliest memories that I have is me running down the hallway of her house asking, Mommy, is this a scale? And she says, Almost keep trying her story along with the 66 other Phoenix symphony musicians part of the face the music campaign They're sharing their love of music, but also the very real uncertainty of what happens when the work they rely on suddenly disappears I'm losing my job losing health care. This is my main source of income just like anyone else's job. So we're And it's true of everyone, all 66 musicians that are being laid off on Monday. Despite growing ticket sales and philanthropic support, the symphony says years of operating deficits have left the organization with significant financial obligations. Leaders say expected donations fell short, making fundamental changes unavoidable. Music And those financial troubles are now headed to court. Court records show attorneys for the Glenn and May Tansley Revocable Trust filed a motion October 22nd asking a judge to reverse an order awarding the symphony $6.5 million. That order was signed just days before the symphony announced it would suspend operations. Trust attorneys allege the symphony failed to disclose its financial troubles before the order was signed. In a statement to Fox 10, the Phoenix Symphony writes that they remain grateful for the generosity of the Tansleys. But say, quote, we disagree with the trustee's characterization of the symphony's actions. And in quote, suspending the season does not mean the Phoenix Symphony has ceased operating as alleged by the trustee. We're hoping to be back as soon as absolutely possible. We really hope it's not a year. We hope it's far less than a year. They spent years as an orchestra making music together. Now, Pasquer says they're determined to get through this the same way, together and for each other. Everything that everyone has done this past... Like 10 days is just incredible. The amount that we've been able to accomplish and support each other and get things organized and make sure that everyone's going to be taken care of is really quite astonishing. Now that full statement from the Phoenix Symphony can be found on our website at fox10phoenix.com. The Phoenix Symphony says that they're going to use this time to see if they can come up with any plan forward that is done responsibly. Reporting, and again, that last show is on Sunday and they encourage people to come out. Reporting live in Phoenix, Jacob Luthi, Fox 10 News.