“The Baltimore City Council passed a resolution Monday urging state legislators to increase funding for the world-renowned but financially strapped Baltimore Symphony Orchestra,” writes Kevin Rector in Monday’s (2/25) Baltimore Sun. “The resolution called on legislators to restore ‘pre-recession funding levels’ to the BSO…. Councilman Eric Costello, who introduced the resolution, said he had figures that showed state funding for the BSO stood at $2.8 million in 2007, compared with $2 million in 2018. Accounting for inflation, $2.8 million in 2007 amounts to about $3.4 million in 2019…. Costello said he simply hoped legislators in Annapolis would recognize the BSO as ‘an amazing amenity to our citizens in Baltimore.’ … Peter Kjome, the BSO’s president and CEO, said … , ‘With financial losses averaging over $1.6 million a year over the past decade, it has become very clear that our current financial model is not sustainable.’ … Greg Mulligan, a violinist and co-chairman of the players’ committee, said he …. and other players have been talking to legislators in Annapolis about the need for increased funding, as well.”
Posted February 27, 2019
