In Tuesday’s (12/14) Pacific Business News, James R. George writes, “The liquidation of the Honolulu Symphony Society does not mean the end to live symphonic music performances in Hawaii. It does mean that the nonprofit organization that has orchestrated performances for the past 110 years is officially out of business. That was decided on Monday when U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Faris approved the Honolulu Symphony Society’s request to change its Chapter 11 reorganization to Chapter 7 liquidation. … The Symphony Society will sell off its remaining assets, close the books, turn off the lights and go out of business. Yes, it’s a sad time for a venerable organization that has brought beautiful music to Hawaii for more than a century. But no, it’s not a death notice for that music. Separate from the Honolulu Symphony Society is the Honolulu Symphony Foundation, which has its own board of directors and oversees an endowment estimated at $8 million to $10 million. … Hawaii is blessed with a number of residents who love symphonic music and have the financial resources and clout to make things happen, but have been reluctant to invest their time and resources in an organization in turmoil.”
Posted December 15, 2010
