Orchestra Will Reach a Settlement Over Cancelled Trip Costs

Correction: September, 2016In the article entitled “Orchestra Will Reach a Settlement Over Cancelled Trip Costs” from the issue of The Samohi published on Thursday, Sept. 29, we incorrectly reported that a settlement with Lloyds of London insurance company had already been finalized. The article misinterpreted an email from Symphony Orchestra director Joni Swenson to mean that a future settlement is definite, when in reality Lloyds of London has only agreed to negotiate a settlement. After months of waiting, the pending lawsuit between the Samo Symphony orchestra and Lloyds of London will reach a settlement. The debacle between Samo and the insurance company began when the orchestra was denied its first claims to get repaid for the cancellation of their spring tour through Europe. The news is a relief to families, who for months were mentally preparring for the loss of over $3,000 diSymphony, Samo’s top orchestra, was scheduled to take a ten day trip through Paris, Belgium and Amsterdam at the end of the 2015-16 school year. For months before, the parents, students and director Jodi Swenson of the orchestra program had been raising enough funds for the tour, setting the itinerary, organizing the students who would be traveling and practicing their music to the point of perfection.“It was going to be an amazing experience; the music originated in the countries we were going to be in, so the travel would’ve enhanced our studies,” Swenson said.Then, the morning before the students were supposed to begin their tour, there were three connected terrorist attacks in the airport and train station of the Belgian capital Brussels. 32 died in the attacks, and 340 were injured. Swenson and a group of highly concerned parents frantically tried to reroute the trip so the students would avoid the immediate danger while still going on tour, but the SMMUSD and Samo administrations made the executive decision to cancel the tour for the safety of the students.In case of an outcome like this, the orchestra had purchased travel insurance beforehand that covered acts of terrorism. The insurance would be a safety net for the orchestra’s funds; if there was a cancellation or reschedule, the money would be returned to the families. However, the insurance company, Lloyd’s of London, denied the orchestra’s claim for refunding twice after the cancellation.“That made me the angriest: being told that after all the hard work preparing the music and raising the money to go on this incredible trip, it gets cancelled a day before you go and you won’t be getting any of that money you raised back,” alumni flute player Francis Abastillas (’16) said.In order to get their rightful money, the orchestra hired two attorneys from highly-acclaimed law firm Latham & Watkins.Even though the program raised money for others, the families of Symphony are still in debt from the last minute cancellation of the tour.“[Lloyd's of London] are just trying to hold onto their money, but we have a very strong case,” Swenson said.Then, three months after the tour was supposed to happen, Lloyd's of London responded to the orchestra’s demand for their refund. On September 22, Swenson and the other administrators were happy to report to the students that Lloyd’s of London would honor the refund and avoid going to court.“These things can still take time, but it is a significant movement in the right direction” Swenson said in an email sent out to the families.The Samo Symphony Orchestra playing at their benefit concert for victims of lence at Walt Disney Concert Hall.