I suppose it was inevitable, in the midst of our ever-deepening dollar drought. The news is just out today: the Charleston Symphony has proposed slashing next year’s budget by $500,000 – from $2.9 to $2.4 million. Some board members reportedly wanted to cut deeper than that.
It’s too early to itemize the exact consequences – but it’s probably safe to say that we can expect a smaller core of musicians (currently around 46) and fewer concerts. What about glamorous soloists? Staff cuts? Venue changes? Educational efforts? Right now, there’s no telling.
What won’t suffer, according to the CSO’s powers-that-be, will be the CSO’s vaunted quality and reputation. We’re talking bare survival, folks – and the CSO (and Charleston Stage & Ballet Theatre) are far from the only American artistic entities that teeter on the brink of collapse in these desperate times.
And the best that YOU, dear readers, can do for them right now is to give them your support. Like BE THERE for their upcoming Masterworks concert next Saturday – and show your love by packing the Sottile for their impending collaboration with the Ballet Theatre on Valentine’s day (same link) Also, check out my happy preview on Wednesday — you can catch it online at our City Paper home page.
And stay tuned.
One Comment
As a delighted guest artist, I have enjoyed my visits with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. I strongly urge everyone to spread the good word that there’s a marvelous symphony orchestra in town that must thrive, not only for its current audience base, but for the next generation of citizens in this historically richly cultured city. Support the orchestra, and bring it to its prominence among the orchestras in the USA where it deserves to be. They boast a brilliant music director, warm and hard working staff and fabulous musicians.