Spokane Symphony Starts Musicians' Relief Fund

SPOKANE–The Spokane Symphony has set up a Musicians’ Relief Fund to help orchestra musicians who are in dire need of assistance to pay their bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public is invited to contribute to the fund to help these local classical musicians.

“This Relief Fund will be an essential resource for Spokane Symphony musicians who need help making rent, buying groceries and squeaking by until we are able to get back to performing on stage at the Fox Theater,” said Colleen McElroy, Piccolo/Second Flute and Spokane Symphony Orchestra committee member.

“Nearly all of the orchestra’s musicians teach private music lessons, are on faculty at local colleges and universities, perform side gigs or play with other ensembles to make ends meet. COVID-19 has attacked all of our sources of income simultaneously, as performances have been canceled and teaching has moved online or ended. Fortunately, the CARES Act has recently expanded unemployment benefits to cover most musicians who don't typically qualify because our employment is a mix of W-2 reported income, self-employment and 1099 income. However, some musicians will still fall through the cracks. We are grateful for the Musicians’ Relief Fund to help those of us with the greatest financial need,” said McElroy.

Spokane Symphony Music Director James Lowe said, “I encourage any of you who have ever been touched by the Spokane Symphony’s music, or for whom live music in Spokane is important, to consider making a donation to the Musicians’ Relief Fund, or the Spokane Symphony’s Annual Fund, which supports the broader work of the orchestra.”

Donations to the Spokane Symphony Musicians’ Relief Fund and Annual Fund are tax deductible, and may be made online at http://www.spokanesymphony.org under the “Support” tab on the home page, and then “Give Now.” Checks may be sent to the Spokane Symphony at P.O. Box 365, Spokane, WA 99210.

The Musicians’ Relief Fund was established to assist Spokane Symphony musicians who don’t quality for unemployment compensation or for whom unemployment compensation does not cover their needs. The Spokane Symphony is continuing to pay musicians’ health insurance and instrument insurance.

Symphony musicians may apply for funds now, and the Musicians’ Relief Fund Committee, comprised of two Spokane Symphony Orchestra board members and two Orchestra Committee members, will evaluate and fill the requests.