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Pianist Daniela Liebman performs with the San Antonio Philharmonic last year. Credit: Instagram \/ saphilharmonic<\/p>\nPianist Daniela Liebman performs with the San Antonio Philharmonic last year. Credit: Instagram \/ saphilharmonic<\/p>\n
Facing a financial crunch, the San Antonio Philharmonic has cancelled its third set of concert dates since December, an email from the organization\u2019s top official shows.<\/p>\n
The message \u2014\u00a0which CEO Roberto Trevi\u00f1o sent to musicians on Dec. 30 \u2014\u00a0scraps the orchestra\u2019s Jan. 16 and 17 Classics V shows. The nonprofit arts organization couldn\u2019t raise the cash to \u201csafely cover the costs associated with staging the guest artist, the ensemble and the production team,\u201d he adds in the communication.<\/p>\n
Further, Trevi\u00f1o writes that the orchestra\u2019s staff and board are working to line up future funding so they can \u201cbring inspired music back for our community as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
News of the cancelation follows less than a month after Philharmonic scrapped its Holiday Pops and New Year\u2019s Eve concerts. However, the Holiday Pops shows were later relocated to Sea World San Antonio.<\/p>\n
The string of aborted and rescheduled dates also comes after the Scottish Rite fraternal order sent a letter to the Philharmonic in November ordering it to vacate the masonic lodge\u2019s downtown building. A year prior, the orchestra announced a deal that it said made the 1924 structure its permanent performance space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In comments to the Current at the time, Trevi\u00f1o said the December cancellations were the result of \u201congoing negotiations\u201d with the Scottish Rite.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Contacted by phone about the latest email, Trevi\u00f1o chalked up the Classics V cancelations to a slowdown in fundraising, which he said typically comes in \u201cwaves.\u201d While waiting on the disbursement of $300,000 in recently awarded funds from Bexar County, the nonprofit experienced a falloff in late-year donations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are rebuilding those relationships [with donors] as we speak,\u201d Trevi\u00f1o told the Current. \u201cThe reality for us as we put on our events is that we want to make sure our concerts are things that we can cover. You know, we have a large payroll \u2014\u00a0we have a guest artist, a conductor and so forth.\u201d<\/p>\n
New legal filing<\/p>\n
Trevi\u00f1o added that the Philharmonic\u2019s attorney is continuing talks with Scottish Rite officials. The orchestra hopes to iron out a new agreement that will allow it to use the building on a regular basis, he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scottish Rite officials, including the group\u2019s attorney, were unavailable for comment at press time Monday morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, in paperwork intervening in an existing legal dispute between the Philharmonic and individuals David Wood and Peter Rubins, the Scottish Rite seeks to sever its relationship with the orchestra.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The legal filing \u2014\u00a0made just before deadline Monday in Bexar County court and after the Current\u2019s initial call with Trevi\u00f1o \u2014\u00a0alleges a deal signed between the lodge and the Phil for use of the building required the orchestra to pay $750,000 to begin repairs and refurbishment of the century-old structure by July 31. That deadline came and went, as did an extension until Aug. 7, according to the document\u2019s allegations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe precise amount aside, Philharmonic did not and has not tendered any amount in satisfaction of the Initial Investment, nor has it provided any accounting or backup for any argument that it has made $750,000 worth of contributions that could or should comprise the Initial Investment,\u201d the filing states. \u201cPhilharmonic has not even identified the amount it contends should be paid. Philharmonic knows well that Scottish Rite expected the Initial Investment and yet refused to tender it (likely, it was unable to do so).\u201d<\/p>\n
The filing asks the court to enforce the Scottish Rite\u2019s claim that it can eject the orchestra from its building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When asked about the filing, Trevi\u00f1o had no immediate comment, although he said the Phil\u2019s team is looking into the matter and \u201cwill respond accordingly.\u201d <\/p>\n
Email details<\/p>\n
Trevi\u00f1o\u2019s email thanks the Phil\u2019s musicians for their \u201cunderstanding, resilience and unwavering commitment\u201d and adds that the organization\u2019s leadership is \u201cinspired by your artistry even in difficult moments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even so, the message strikes a somber tone about the financial situation at the orchestra, which rose from the ashes of the San Antonio Symphony, an entity dissolved in 2022 during a prolonged labor dispute.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision [to cancel] did not come lightly, and it follows careful consideration of our current financial reality,\u201d the email states. \u201cDespite our best efforts to secure the necessary funds, donations and sponsorships have not reached the level required to safely cover the costs associated with staging the guest artist, the ensemble and the production team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The message continues: \u201cUnderstandably, this news may bring disappointment and concern. We share in that disappointment with you. We are committed to being transparent about what happened and what comes next, and we are here to support you through this change.\u201d<\/p>\n
At press time, the Philharmonic\u2019s website still lists the Classics V concerts, which were to feature pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, a finalist in the 2018 BBC Young Musician contest. The performances were to include Shostakovich\u2019s Symphony No. 11, \u201cThe Year 1905,\u201d and other selections.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, an attempt to click the button to buy tickets via the website resulted in the message \u201cWe\u2019re sorry, that event is currently unavailable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fundraising questions<\/p>\n
An executive at one large San Antonio company familiar with the city\u2019s corporate fundraising circles said his employer has cut off funding for the Philharmonic. The person also said a lack of a corporate presence on the organization\u2019s board suggests it may be having trouble bringing in significant donations from the business community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they don\u2019t have corporate support, they won\u2019t survive,\u201d said the person, who asked not to be named for fear of harming the reputation of the company where they now work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Trevi\u00f1o said he\u2019s confident new funding streams will carry the orchestra through. He pointed out that the Classics VI concert is still on the books for Febr. 13 and 14. Beyond that, four additional weekends of classical performances remain listed on the orchestra\u2019s website.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trevi\u00f1o said the Philharmonic, in common with other arts organizations, experienced\u00a0 tough fundraising conditions in 2025. The cancelation of the January concerts was a fiscally responsible move made to avoid losing money, he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly grateful for every donation we receive,\u201d Trevi\u00f1o said, noting that the organization has received contributions as small as $10 from individual community members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really see that as a huge responsibility to be very, very careful how we operate and manage within our means. I think we\u2019re doing that. We\u2019re being smart about that. We want to carry to legacy of the Symphony and the Philharmonic for another hundred years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us:\u00a0Apple News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>| Twitter<\/a>\u00a0| Or sign up for our\u00a0RSS Feed<\/a><\/p>\n Related Stories<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tThe orchestra\u2019s cancelations come days after the owners of its primary venue ordered it to vacate the premises. \t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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