Boston Symphony Board's Internal Memos Escalate Conflict with Musicians and Donors

Key facts

• Boston Symphony Orchestra board chair Barbara Hostetter sent a 'State of the Boston Symphony Orchestra' memo to the 170-member non-voting board of advisors.
• The memo insists that 'business as usual will no longer suffice' and that financial footing must be solidified.
• Fundraising has plunged since the board announced the departure of conductor Andris Nelsons nearly two months ago.
• The memo was sent on the same day contract negotiations began between BSO musicians and management.
• A subsequent memo to all BSO staff, rescinded 30 minutes later, blamed unnamed individuals for undermining CEO Chad Smith.
• The board calls for 'massive amounts of new philanthropy — potentially hundreds of millions of dollars' for renovations, endowment, and education.
• Renovations to Symphony Hall and Tanglewood are estimated at $100 million combined.
• BSO's endowment is over $600 million, the largest of any U.S. symphony orchestra.
• Candenza.work analysis found that for every $1 drawn from the endowment to cover deficits, investments produced $1.80.
• The Cleveland Orchestra ended its 2024-25 season with a modest surplus, its seventh consecutive break-even season.
• Cleveland Orchestra conductor Franz Welser-Möst will step down after 25 years.
• The Boston Globe Editorial Board authored the editorial.