The musicians of the Baltimore Symphony have agreed to a 12.5 per cent reduction in annual salary to help combat the effects of recession. The move, in combination with a reduction in pension contributions and the decision not to fill current vacancies, will save the orchestra $1.9m. Single ticket sales during the 2008-09 season declined by 21 per cent and individual donations were down by 17 per cent. Music director Marin Alsop has also made a $50,000 donation to the orchestra’s fundraising initiative “Music Matters: Play Your Part”.