In Friday’s (10/21) Utica Observer-Dispatch (New York), Cassaundra Baber reports, “Debt, staff cuts and the resignation of longtime conductor Chuck Schneider have silenced the Utica Symphony Orchestra in its 100th year. When programming, funding and staffing will be replenished depends on how long it takes the symphony’s board to raise the more than $100,000 debt needed to pay musicians and Schneider for last season’s work, said Loretta Massoud Romano, a board member for six years and current advisory board member. … The symphony’s most recent budget of about $300,000 was sliced by one-third due to state and federal cuts. Additionally, a significant donation the group expected to use to fund its 2010-2011 season did not come through, Romano said. … Furthermore, programming for the fall season wasn’t secured so as not to fall deeper into debt, Romano said. … In the meantime, the board is focused on generating sponsorships to pay its debt. They’ve already secured a portion of the $70,000 owed to musicians for past performances from local businesses, such as ConMed, she said. Once that debt is paid off, the symphony, which began in 1911, will start to look at how it can reinstate programming for spring, Romano said.”
Posted October 21, 2011
