‘It’s humiliating:’ Nashville Symphony members react to furloughs

Courtesy Nashville Symphonyvia Twitter

Symphony musicians in Nashville have been put out of a job this week with almost no notice — and they’re reeling.

“It’s infuriating and it’s actually humiliating,” said Joel Reist, Nashville Orchestra Committee chairman.

He tells WPLN his plan right now is to sell his instrument to pay his mortgage.

“I have the bass that I won my job with. I have made arrangements to take it to an instrument shop in Cincinnati where I’m going to put it up for consignment. Once it sells and after the 25% consignment fee, I’m going to have enough money from that sale, I hope that’s going to be able to pay my mortgage, keep my utilities on and nourish my family for about 4 months. If I’m really careful, I can get us through the new year.”

Reist says it’s right out of a scene from “La Bohème.”

“Metaphorically I am burning that bass to keep my house warm,” he said.

Situations like Reist’s come after the board of the Nashville Symphony declared a financial emergency, suspended its 2026 season and furloughed 77 musicians and 27 full-time employees. The organization says it is $10 million in the hole.

Part of Reist’s responsibility is to communicate with management about issues between the organization and the musicians. He said there was no hint that the symphony was in such dire straits. The musicians learned just days ago that they would no longer get a paycheck or health insurance.

“Folks are going to have to sell their houses and move away and move in with Cousin Bob,” he said.

There have been rumblings of challenges in recent months. The organization has been slow to recover from the drop in audience during the pandemic.

Nashville CEO Mark Cantrell — who took the role Aug. 1 — stepped down Tuesday, just one day after vowing to lead the symphony’s restructuring.

The symphony indicates it will hold its annual fundraisers and come back.

But Roger Wiesmeyer, a retired English horn player, worries that’s a fantasy.

“It does not work that way,” he said. “We have incredibly talented people. Some people just won jobs and this is their first season at the orchestra and you better believe that they are going to go someplace else.”