Your Symphony is at a defining moment.
On May 26 the Symphony announced the appointment of Christopher Warren-Green as its next Music Director. An extraordinary musician and engaging communicator, Christopher will succeed Christof Perick in the fall of 2010, though he and his family are already eager to become part of the community that he will soon call home. Thank you for making Charlotte a community that has already welcomed Christopher so warmly.
The week before this announcement, the Arts & Science Council announced that next year’s distribution to the Symphony would be reduced from this year’s by more than $1,000,000. This news comes when the Symphony, like other non-profits, has been severely challenged by the economic downturn of the past ten months. It also comes at the precise moment in which the Symphony was poised for further progress, with new leadership and fresh new approaches to serving its audience of nearly 250,000.
Following a rigorous evaluation by an independent consultant in 2007, the Symphony embarked on a path toward creating sustainable fiscal stability and greater service to its community. Since 2007, subscription sales and average attendance have risen, financial support from the CSO Board of Directors has tripled, labor costs have been controlled, and internal leadership and governance have been strengthened. And in response to the current economic climate the Symphony has responded with a series of additional measures to cut costs and restructure its business.
No professional orchestra, however, can succeed simply through cost cutting. Nor can it succeed solely through stronger programming that drives increased sales. To help offset the gap between what it earns and what it must spend to fulfill its mission, a viable business model for any non-profit organization requires robust contributed support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and granting organizations.
The recent funding decision by the ASC will make our work much more challenging. However the Charlotte Symphony is undeterred in its commitment to artistic growth, improved fiscal responsibility, and broader service to you, our audience. To achieve these goals, we need your help now.
Please join us in our commitment to a stronger orchestra for the Charlotte region
by making a donation today to the Charlotte Symphony.
Please know that every single dollar counts and will help sustain your Symphony through this extraordinarily challenging time in its 77-year history. If you have already made a gift this year, thank you for your support; we hope you will consider making another investment in your community by investing in your Symphony.
Thank you for your faith in and support of the Charlotte Symphony. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming concerts this summer, and next season.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the Charlotte Symphony.
