Clearly, I Am In The Wrong Business

According to an article by Peter Dobrin in the 7/27/2011 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Orchestra Association (POA) is claiming to have spent approximately $2.4 million in bankruptcy related expenses. But according to Dobrin’s report, that doesn’t really bother the POA as the orchestra spokesman, Matt Broscious, defined those expenses and any to follow as “onetime, short-term costs” that are necessary to put the organization back on good financial footing.

Here’s a quick overview of the Inquirer’s take on the money trail:

In order to provide some perspective on this figure, consider this: the POA’s current bankruptcy related expenditures now exceed the $2 million community outreach deal breaker that contributed to much of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s work stoppage.

In other POA related news, today marks the scheduled hearing on the Philadelphia Orchestra musicians’ demand to perform a fine tooth comb review of the orchestra’s records related to the endowment and the musicians’ pension. Although based on the scope of the proposed review, it might be better defined as an evaluation with a lice inspection comb. Certainly, they have no intention of leaving any stone unturned.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the POA adamantly insists that such a review would saddle the institution with an undue burden and filed an official objection with the court in response to the request. We’ll have to sit back and see if the court renders any decisions on the matter.

Given the money gushing out of the institution related to bankruptcy costs, are the POA’s objections reasonable? Are musician concerns about their pension and the orchestra’s endowment justified? What do you think?