Striking SF Symphony Plays Protest Concert Outside Davies Hall

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Members of the striking San Francisco Symphony played what is best described as a protest concert outside Davies Symphony Hall on Thursday.

On day eight of the walkout the musicians are saying they should be playing to a much larger audience at New York’s Carnegie Hall, but the $165,000 a-year on average with 10 paid weeks of vacation isn’t good enough. They’re seeking parody with their counterparts in Los Angeles and Chicago.

“Management is offering us in a city of rising cost of living, a net loss in our contract. They want us to increase the cost of our health-care plan, especially for people with children,” said Matt Young, the city’s youngest violist.

San Francisco Symphony Spokesman Oliver Theil said they’ve operated for four years now in a deficit. He rejects allegations that the symphony refuses to open its financial books to musicians.

“We were scheduled to be at Carnegie Hall tonight for a concert. We’re all disappointed that we are not able to share our music making for our friends in New York. We’re all working very hard to try to get back together and keep these negotiation sessions moving forward,” Theil said.

However, no talks are scheduled between the Grammy Award-winning musicians and symphony management.

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