Mar 26th, 2008
Apr 2nd, 2008
Apr 9th, 2008
Apr 16th, 2008
Apr 23rd, 2008
Apr 30th, 2008
May 7th, 2008
May 14th, 2008
May 21st, 2008
May 28th, 2008
Music stops for Columbus Symphony Orchestra
By Corey Spring
"http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
It looks like time has finally run out for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
As reported earlier this month, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra has been facing a shutdown due to its budget deficit. The symphony has found itself facing a budget shortfall of $2-3 million over the last several seasons. Last month, musicians from the Columbus Symphony rejected a new contract because it would have drastically cut their salaries and benefits in an effort by the group’s Board of Trustees to bring the symphony’s budget more in line with the money they bring in.
Just as the symphony was facing shutdown at the end of April because of its monetary situation, a Board member anonymously donated a sizable sum that would allow the symphony to finish out the month of May. The Columbus Dispatch reported the figure of the gift to be “very substantially in the six figures.”
Now, as more days have passed in May than remain, the Columbus Symphony Board has once again reevaluated its financial position and made the decision to eliminate two of its most popular series: the summer Picnic with the Pops and Popcorn Pops.
Held every year on the lawn of Chemical Abstracts Service, this would mark the first time in 25 years that the symphony has not played at the outdoor amphitheater.
“We know that this announcement will be a disappointment to our audiences and the community, as it is to us,” the board said in a prepared statement.
“This decision follows weeks of analysis and monitoring of the CSO’s current and prospective financial situation,” the board continued. “The reality is that while the CSO has the funds to operate through May, we do not have the funds to operate beyond that point.”
The popular Picnic with the Pops series was scheduled to begin on June 22. Now, without the money to continue operations, the symphony will have its last concert on May 31 with guest conductor and artist Marvin Hamlisch.
In the midst of the looming shutdown, a grassroots campaign to support the Columbus Symphony has appeared to lend a hand to the group. Called SymphonyStrong (www.symphonystrong.com), the group has garnered over 970 registered users who are encouraged to promote the symphony to as many people as possible.
Either by coincidence or by a coordinated effort by its members, SymphonyStrong would appear to be working.
On Saturday night a larger-than-normal crowd turned up at the Ohio Theatre to hear the Columbus Symphony’s final installment of its Classical series. Musicians thanked the audience by delivering stirring renditions of works from Beethoven, Shumann, and Mendelssohn.
While the symphony’s summer series is canceled, the financial shortcomings of the group have still not been solved, leaving the question of whether the group will have a season next year still unclear. The orchestra is not selling tickets or subscriptions for next season yet, as they don’t know if there will even be a next season.
“Whether the CSO will be able to perform its tentatively scheduled 2008-2009 season, slated to begin in October 2008, will depend on whether and when it is able to reach agreement with the musicians’ union on a new contract to take effect September1, 2008,” the Columbus Symphony Board said.
The Columbus Symphony has a performance coming up this Thursday, May 15, with acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. There is a range of tickets still available for the event, which can be purchased online at solumbussymphony.com. Those wishing to make a donation to the orchestra may also do so through the symphony’s website.
Originally Published: May 14, 2008
