‘Deeply insulting’: S.F. Symphony Chorus longtime director speaks out against budget cut

The San Francisco Symphony Chorus is facing an 80% budget cut, sparking criticism from its former director, Vance George. In a letter to Symphony CEO Matt Spivey, George called the proposal "simply awful" and "deeply insulting" to the ensemble, which he led for 23 years, earning two Grammy Awards. The cuts would reduce the Chorus' budget by roughly $1 million, part of broader measures to address a projected $12.5 million deficit, including canceling the 2025 European Festival Tour and reducing concert programs. While the Symphony has proposed a revised cut of 65%, the American Guild of Musical Artists argues this would harm the Chorus’s artistic integrity and community.