The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra was forced to shut down in the middle of its 50th season when the Board of Trustees voted to suspend operations on March 29. Citing a $5.5 million deficit and an inability to reach an agreement between the board and the musicians, the organization was forced to cancel all remaining concerts without refunding ticketholders.

The Syracuse Symphony website contains only the image above as a testament to what would have been its 50th season. It is followed simply by an explanation of the orchestra’s plan to suspend operations and layoff both its staff and musicians. Perhaps the most hard hitting line of the paragraph is the declaration that all remaining concerts are canceled, which reads “All concerts have been cancelled for the remainder of this season, including the Yo-Yo Ma concert scheduled for April 27. The SSO is unable to issue refunds for tickets because we have run out of money.”

Along with the disappearance of one of Syracuse’s prominent arts organizations, the operational shut down also means the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra will no longer be allowed to operate. What was once an opportunity for young musicians to participate in an elite group will become merely a fond memory. The one remaining concert has been canceled, negating weeks of preparation on behalf of the students. The group’s 30 seniors particularly lament that they won’t be able to play their ceremonial final concert.

The shutdown of the SSO is a great loss not only for central New York, but for the nationwide arts community. While the Syracuse Symphony explores its options for the future, musical organizations around the country should embrace their ability to make music as one city no longer can.

Editor’s Note: The Sound Post covered the SSO back in August. See the pre-shutdown article here.

Related links:
syracuse.com: SSO Board Votes to Suspend Operations”
syracuse.com: Symphony’s Collateral Damage
Syracuse Symphony

Posted on April 5th, 2011 at 9:18 am | Filed under Articles of Interest, General |