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Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra chimes in for money

JANESVILLE — Dour economic times have sounded a series of discordant notes for the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.

On Monday, orchestra Executive Director Roddie Beaudoin sent out an e-mail plea for money.

“The Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra faces one of the greatest financial challenges of its celebrated history,” Beaudoin wrote.

The letter asks for “new or additional generous support to maintain and assure the survival of one of the bedrocks of our cultural community, The Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.”

An anonymous donor has agreed to match any donation, dollar for dollar, up to $7,500 if the money is raised by Jan. 31.

The Stateline Community Foundation also has agreed to match donations up to $5,000.

If both goals are met, the orchestra could raise a total of $25,000.

“The situation is that the economy is down, and a lot of different arts groups are hurting,” said David Williams, BJSO board president. “This matching fund drive will help us get our head above water for the year.”

Ticket sales have been fair to middling, but no arts organization can survive on ticket sales alone.

Because of the economy, business sponsorships have dropped off. And the orchestra’s endowment took a hit when the stock market plunged.

The orchestra has been trying to rein in its finances since last April, when it announced it was canceling two performances of Verdi’s “Requiem” and its Fourth of July concerts.

In a letter to ticket subscribers and orchestra members, then board President Susan Behrens said the cuts were “part of a package of decisions relating to personnel, future programming, development, and marketing strategy designed to keep the orchestra solvent and set it on a firm foundation for the future.”

In August, the symphony announced its 2009-10 season would include concerts at “nontraditional venues” including the Pontiac Convention Center and Janesville Country Club in Janesville, and Beloit’s Eclipse Center. Most of the concerts featured something more than music—a dinner, a dance or a silent movie.

The orchestra’s struggles have left many people wondering about its survival.

Williams said if the orchestra doesn’t raise the money, the board would continue to look for new ways to raise funds.

Part of the board’s task is to find “new funding models” that keep ticket prices down and create programming that reaches as many members of the community as possible, Williams said.

“I want to see the orchestra survive, I want to see it thrive,” Williams said.