‘A shock to us’: Musicians petition for Milwaukee Ballet to keep live orchestra for ‘The Nutcracker” production
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Musicians in Milwaukee are speaking out after news the Milwaukee Ballet will not be using a live orchestra in their performances of "The Nutcracker" running Dec. 6-26.
On Tuesday, July 8, members of the American Federation of Music, Local Nine Union in Milwaukee, brought a petition to administrators at the Milwaukee Ballet pleading them to reconsider. Right now, the decision stands.
"To have the orchestra removed is a shock to us as musicians," said Richard Tremarello, secretary and treasurer for the Milwaukee Musicians Association.
French horn player Richard Tremarello is one of many musicians that has been in pit for "The Nutcracker" at the Milwaukee Ballet.
"We certainly don't want the audience to get used to not having an orchestra there," said Tremarello.
With the organization using a recorded score this season, it's the loss of an annual job for many orchestra members.
"It's several thousand dollars' worth of work," Tremarello said. "So, at this point the musicians are looking, they're scrambling for other things to make up for that."
The ballet's artistic director, Michael Pink, calls it a hard decision but a necessary one.
"We are facing challenges that our expenditures are rising exponentially, but our income, our revenue streams are not keeping pace with them," Pink said.
Pink says the board thoroughly researched how to mend the ballet's operating costs and cutting the orchestra this year is a short-term sacrifice.
"When we look at the dollars it takes to be able to afford a live orchestra for 'Nutcracker,' it was a substantial amount that will help us to make sure that we can control whatever projected budget deficits we might have," Pink said.
However, the Milwaukee Musicians' Association believes there must be some way around losing a special piece of the performance.
"Our view is that even with the deficit spending, they can still lobby the public and companies to say, this is really an important institution, please give if you are able, and let's keep this going," said Tremarello.
Pink argues it's about keeping the ballet alive.
"Does the community want a ballet for the future? Or would it rather just have a ballet with an orchestra at this moment in time, and then not know the future? Can't guarantee the future for our children and the next generation," said Pink. "I want to survive!"
Pink said as of now, a recorded score will only be used this season and he hopes funding will allow the orchestra to return next year and beyond.
The Milwaukee Ballet released the following statement:
Over the past several years, arts organizations here in Milwaukee and around the country have struggled to navigate difficult financial challenges due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Like many of our peer organizations, we have worked diligently and creatively to address these challenges, yet operating costs continue to rise while revenue earnings have not kept pace.
With other avenues exhausted, we have come to the difficult conclusion that we must utilize a recording rather than live accompaniment for The Nutcracker this season. This decision is not unprecedented, as several productions during the immediate post-pandemic years were performed without live accompaniment due to similar budgetary concerns; likewise, many of our fellow arts organizations have and continue to face these kinds of adjustments. However, this is still not a choice we make lightly and is one that saddens us greatly.
Our Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra had been made aware of this decision, and members recently had the opportunity to attend an in-person meeting to provide Milwaukee Ballet leadership with valuable feedback and be assured of our commitment to reviving this engagement. Milwaukee Ballet donors and subscribers have also been notified of this change. It is all of our sincerest hope that this move is a short-term one and that we can reinstate live music for future productions of The Nutcracker.
We assure our audiences that the artistry presented by our world-class dancers, alongside the top-tier production value of our exceptionally crafted sets, costumes, and effects, will remain at the highest caliber. Hundreds of individuals have and will continue to creatively collaborate to bring the magic of The Nutcracker to life, sparking joy and wonder in audiences of all ages, whether new or returning to the theater. We were proud last year to welcome nearly 4,800 individuals to our three Student Matinees and over 24,000 to our fifteen regular season performances. We appreciate these and all of our patrons who help to make The Nutcracker Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition and are so grateful to everyone who makes these annual memories with us.
Despite current challenges, Milwaukee Ballet is strong and resilient, with dedicated staff and thoughtful Board leadership propelling the company forward. While certain operational elements may temporarily shift in order to sustain the organization, after 55 years bringing the joy of ballet to this city, our artists will continue dancing well into the future. As we move forward, donors, subscribers, and other key constituents will be kept apprised of the work we are doing and how our efforts can be further supported.
We are grateful for the many financial supporters of our company, including private donors, funders, corporate sponsors, and the United Performing Arts Fund, who all play an integral role in keeping our art form on stage. As we continue to work towards greater long-term financial stability, support from our community is imperative. In addition to Annual Fund gifts and grants that support our general operations and programming, contributions to the Legacy Fund developed with the premiere of the Ballet's new Nutcracker production in 2023 will generate ongoing funds to help fortify the organization for the future.