Courtesy Photograph / San Antonio Philharmonic
The San Antonio Philharmonic performs at First Baptist Church.
Two key supporters of the San Antonio Philharmonic throughout its rise from the ashes of the now-defunct San Antonio Symphony have sued the orchestra, demanding it repay what court docket paperwork characterised as $180,000 in loans.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Bexar County District Courtroom by married couple and main Philharmonic donors David Wooden and Colette Holt accuses the group of breach of contract. The petition seeks reimbursement of cash the pair offered the Philharmonic to purchase its music library and a band shell utilized in performances.
Wooden served on the Philharmonic’s board from early 2023 till this summer season. A minimum of a dozen staff, together with Chief Monetary Officer Sylvia Romo and two different board members have additionally departed in latest weeks, in keeping with the San Antonio Report.
When contacted by the Present, Philharmonic Govt Director Roberto Treviño disputed the go well with’s allegations and mentioned the group has retained lawyer Kelli Cubeta to pursue its personal claims towards Wooden and Holt.
“We have now an lawyer that is going to answer that lawsuit, and we’ll be submitting a counterclaim towards [the plaintiffs] for his or her habits,” mentioned Treviño, a former District 1 councilman. “We have now documented all these items have occurred.”
Robert L. Barrows, the lawyer representing Wooden and Holt within the go well with, was unavailable for remark at press time Friday.
Nevertheless, Holt advised the Present the go well with is a final resort, including that Treviño has repeatedly declined to speak with she and her husband about considerations concerning the Philharmonic and its funds. The pair are “involved concerning the viability of the group” and wish to resolve the matter rapidly, she added.
“We have been motivated to guard the music library, which is an irreplaceable asset that ought to belong to the individuals of San Antonio,” she mentioned.
Holt declined additional remark.
A rift amongst board members this June in the end eliminated then-president Brian Petkovich, who co-founded the orchestra after the 2022 chapter of the Symphony, in keeping with the San Antonio Report.
Amid the combat, Wooden sought to rescind an interest-free $150,000 mortgage made in September 2022 to assist the fledgling Philharmonic purchase its predecessor group’s music library, the web information group reported.
In response to the lawsuit’s claims, $15,000 of that mortgage has already been forgiven, and Wooden and Holt search to recuperate the remaining $135,000. They’re justified in looking for the cash’s return as a result of the orchestra “no longer remained in enterprise as an orchestra beneath its Bylaws,” the submitting maintains.
The petition additionally alleges that Wooden loaned the orchestra one other $45,000 to buy a shell it might use to enhance acoustics when it performs on the Majestic Theatre. The plaintiffs preserve that the group by no means purchased the merchandise.
Treviño fired again at each claims. He pointed to the Philharmonic’s not too long ago commenced Third Season, which incorporates performances scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 27-28, as proof that it is nonetheless in operation. What’s extra, the group bought the shell for which Wooden loaned it the cash.
“It was bought and we do have the receipts,” he mentioned.
Treviño mentioned the Philharmonic is transferring forward regardless of the authorized dispute and plans to proceed its season. He added that it additionally plans to hunt an extra $110,000 in metropolis funding this fall.
“Proper now, we’re planning a live performance for subsequent Friday and Saturday, and that is what we’re centered on,” Treviño mentioned. “We’re not going to let this distract us.” Subscribe to SA Present newsletters.
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