SYMPHONY CANCELS SEASON

The New Orleans Symphony has canceled its concert season because its musicians have refused to play until they are reimbursed for back pay.

The musicians rehearsed Tuesday morning, but announced in an afternoon news conference they would not perform again until they were paid $130,000 owed them in back pay.

“We like to play, but we want to show the people we didn’t get paid,” musician Larry Lee said.

Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin, president of the Symphony Society, said the board had tried to raise the money but was unsuccessful. She said she and other officers were unable to reach a compromise with the musicians.

Board members Tuesday offered the musicians a week’s pay, but a spokesman for the players said they needed at least two week’s pay and were owed a month’s back pay.

The symphony was scheduled to host three subscription concerts Tuesday, today and Thursday. Two special concerts also were scheduled this weekend.

John Hall, chairman of the orchestra committee that represents the employees, said: “We are employees and had a problem--we weren’t being paid. As full-time professionals, we could go no further unless we received some pay.”