“The N.C. Symphony, one of the state’s major cultural institutions, is fighting to stay afloat,” writes Rob Christensen in Friday’s (4/24) News and Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina). “Faced with declining donations and a potential reduction in state support, the symphony has taken steps to stanch the flow of red ink. The symphony has canceled the appearance of major artists and conductors, has cut back the number of pops concerts, has scrapped a European tour, and scratched plans to perform several major musical works that would require additional musicians. At a recent concert in Raleigh, conductor Grant Llewellyn made a request from the stage for donations. … The symphony has a $13.6 million annual budget, with roughly 40 percent coming from individual and corporate donations, 30 percent from ticket sales, 20 percent from legislative appropriations and 10 percent from various other sources including local government grants and earnings from the endowment. … The symphony has already borrowed $3.4 million of its $5 million line of credit for the fiscal year ending June 30, [president and CEO David Chambless] Worters said.”
Posted April 24, 2009
Photo: Grant Llewellyn
Credit: Courtesy North Carolina Symphony
