Last night was the final concert of our classical series for the 2008-2009 concert season. The performances by Joshua Bell in the Mendelssohn violin concerto were amazing and inspiring each and every night, and the Bruckner Seventh Symphony was powerful and yes, very long, too. Audience response was great, and each night was very nearly sold out (at least the first half, a few people were clearly there only to see Bell perform). But the season, rather than ending on a note of triumph and optimism as one would expect, is instead bittersweet:
- The orchestra has never sounded better.
- We’ve been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2011.
- Ticket sales are at an all-time high.
But, we’re in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Donations are down, corporate giving is down, Oregon is suffering the second-highest rate of unemployment in the nation at 12 percent and faces a current $4.2 billion budget shortfall. While other parts of the country are already looking forward to the beginnings of an upswing in the fourth quarter of 2009, the likelihood is that Oregon will lag behind the nation in recovery just as it lagged behind entering the recession.
What does all of this mean for the Oregon Symphony? I don’t know. I know that the players are ready to help in any reasonable way that we can. Elaine Calder is doing an amazing job of running the orchestra – if we weren’t in this world-wide mess right now, it’s very possible that the orchestra would be on its way to strong growth and retiring some of the accumulated deficit in the next season or so. But for now we’re in survival mode. It’s true – we’re working our asses off just to keep the enterprise going at this point.
So, as Elaine said during her pre-concert remarks this weekend, if you get a mailing or a call from the symphony asking for whatever help you can give – please consider digging deep and giving what you can. Five dollars would be greatly appreciated, as would $5000. Each according to their means. We cannot make it without your support, now more than ever.
2 replies on “uncertain times as the season comes to a close”
Nice summary, Charles, of where the orchestra stands, and very well said. My wife and I plan to give more and urge everyone who cares about classical music in Portland to donate to the symphony, as well as to other arts organizations. If we all contribute at least something, the orchestra can get through this difficult period. Certainly, the product is well worth supporting.
Thanks, Curtis – it’s supporters such as yourself that will keep the orchestral alive and vital for years to come!