Following a series of setbacks that might have been the beginning of the end for other groups, the Charlotte Symphony is less than $100,000 away from its goal of raising $1.77 million by the end of 2009. The fundraising success follows the appointment of Jonathan Martin as Executive Director, who when asked about the goal for an article in the 12/15/2009 edition of the Charlotte Observer said he is “confident that we’re going to get there.”
Things are looking up at the Charlotte Symphony.
I had the pleasure of attending a Charlotte Symphony concert back at the end of November and I can say that I was very impressed with the group as a whole. Their performance of Beethoven’s Eroica was outstanding and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto (featuring Helen Nightengale, violin; Lynn Harrell, cello; and Joanne Pearce Martin, piano) was an equally a strong performance.
For a group that has endured a long period economic instability, the musicians are certainly performing at a level that might be accurately described as “beyond their pay grade.” I can only imagine how much positive impact the successful round of fundraising will have on their future. Hopefully the local Arts and Science Council will realize the folly of their ways and fully restore the orchestra’s funding and then some.
