Houston Symphony lays off 25% of staff to ensure its ‘immediate survival’

In a move it said was crucial to ensuring its “immediate survival,” Houston’s oldest and largest performing arts organization has imposed layoffs as a result of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The Houston Symphony said in a news release the evening of June 12 that budget shortfalls have forced the organization to lay off 21 full- and part-time employees, reducing the organization’s overall staff from 83 to 62.

Despite receiving a loan under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, the…