Phoenix Symphony gives final concert before suspension as musicians launch ‘Face the Music’ campaign

The orchestra’s final scheduled concert before the suspension was on November 1. Its musicians’ “Face the Music” campaign highlights the personal consequences of the interruption.

The Phoenix Symphony’s suspension of its 2026–27 season takes effect following its final scheduled concert on November 1, with all 66 musicians facing unpaid layoffs from November 2. No date has been announced for performances to resume.

Ahead of the suspension, the players launched “Face the Music,” a campaign sharing their portraits and personal stories through the musicians’ social media accounts and website. The initiative draws attention to their backgrounds, families and livelihoods, showing how the orchestra’s financial crisis affects the people on stage.

The people behind the orchestra

Associate principal cellist and Orchestra Committee co-chair Bridget Pasker told The Arizona Republic that the campaign aims to remind audiences that the musicians have families, bills and individual stories beyond their shared work at Symphony Hall.

Among those featured is horn player Cassie Walck, in her 14th season with the orchestra, who described her concern about losing opportunities to perform for residents of assisted living facilities. Piccolo and flute player Jarrett May, who moved to Phoenix in 2025, expressed uncertainty about how long he could afford to wait for the orchestra to return.

Violinist Trista Wong also described the impact on her plans with her fiancé as they prepare to marry. According to The Arizona Republic, the musicians’ health insurance will remain in place through November 30.

Financial difficulties and an uncertain return

The Phoenix Symphony announced the suspension on October 20, citing insufficient financial resources to continue the season. Management says increased ticket sales and philanthropic support have not been enough to offset ongoing operating deficits and outstanding financial obligations.

The organization has said its board and management will use the suspension to address those obligations, reassess revenue and fundraising needs, and determine what is required to resume performances. It maintains that work toward a sustainable future continues during the suspension.

The musicians have also been organizing support for colleagues facing financial uncertainty. Pasker warned that the interruption could affect education and outreach activities serving schools and people unable to attend the concert hall, extending the consequences beyond the orchestra’s regular audiences.