ST. LOUIS, October 2, 2003 – The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra announced consolidation among its senior staff today as it continues to reduce costs and seek lower annual operating deficits.

In another step toward meeting the Symphony’s financial challenges, the position of general manager will be eliminated in mid-October and the responsibilities of that position will be divided among others on the senior staff. Carla Johnson, who has served as executive vice president and general manager since June 2000, has agreed to stay on as a consultant for special projects.

“Despite the progress we have made in reducing annual operating deficits over the first two years of our business plan, the economy’s impact on our fundraising requires further cost reductions,” said Randy Adams, president and executive director. “We still have a long way to go in building a strong financial foundation for the future and this is another tough decision we have had to make.”

Many of the general manager duties will be assumed by Kathleen van Bergen, vice president and director of artistic administration, and Susan Lim, orchestra manager. Van Bergen joined the Symphony in 1999 and has served as director of artistic administration. She was promoted to vice president in August. Lim has been with the Symphony since 1996, becoming director of operations in 1999. She was promoted to orchestra manager last month and her duties will be expanded to include responsibility for musician and staff personnel matters.

“Carla’s expertise has been invaluable in restructuring the Saint Louis Symphony and getting us to this point,” Adams added. “Negotiating the innovative agreement with our musicians contributed significantly to our progress, and she is respected throughout the organization and the industry. This is strictly a financial decision and I wish Carla all the best.”

In an unrelated development, Chief Financial Officer John Fraser recently announced he will leave the Symphony later this month. Fraser, who joined the organization in 1999 and led the development of financial reporting and control systems, has accepted a position with another local non-profit institution.

“John played a pivotal role in the development of our Long Range Business Plan,” Adams said. “Much of his work to upgrade the Symphony’s financial controls is largely complete, and we appreciate his service. We already have begun looking for an experienced financial executive to build on the foundation John established.”

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra has been a source of pride for the St. Louis region since its founding in 1880. The Symphony has earned a reputation as a first-tier orchestra through the generations of excellent performances, through its mastery of a wide-ranging repertoire, and a tradition of partnering with leading musical artists from around the world.

In addition to its regular concert performances at Powell Symphony Hall, the Symphony is an integral part of the St. Louis community with a variety of education and partnership programs. Through its educational concerts at Powell and in classrooms all over the region through the E. Desmond Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative, the Symphony encourages thousands of children to learn about classical music.  Free ensemble and individual performances in parks, churches and other venues throughout the area bring classical music to thousands of people of all ages. In addition, the pioneering IN UNISON program partners the Symphony with urban African-American churches to further understanding of the connections between gospel, jazz and classical music.

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra receives generous operating support from the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

The Symphony is proud to have preferred relationships with American Airlines, Krispy Kreme, MasterCard International, Steinway & Sons, and Thompson Coburn.