Maybe they could charge a small admission price. I would certainly be willing to pay $5 to hear them play. That concert for the 4th of July is one of the few times I feel a sense of community in Janesville. It'd sure be a shame to miss that.

These musicians are paid employees earning a living to pay bills too. They are not volunteers.

I am a former Parker grad and am in the UW-Parkside Chorale. This was unbelievably upsetting to our group when we heard on Friday. There is still no news on if we are even going to have a concert anymore. We've been working on the requiem all semester and don't have time to learn anything new.
I understand budget issues, but if it were me in the orchestra, I would still perform because it is such a huge loss for the college students.

very sad and disappointing news

sad to hear about this but I think this is just the start of things to come around here. Sounds like they are planning ahead for rough times- very smart move!

oldtimer - Gee I wonder why the Hockey Partners do not want to pay for the needed repairs for the ice arena. Better yet, why not just play outside for free? I guess your right, there is not any good will in this world anymore.

I wonder why these wonderful musicians wouldnt volunteer to put on the concerts anyway? Good publicity, and good will. not any more. I suppose the musicians union said no no, your right they are snots.

Perhaps they could do a "BJS-on-ice" show--and for children, of course--and serve beer to raise money! This is yet another sad example of culturally interesting organizations that are faltering while the city council tilts at windmills by throwing even more money it doesn't have at nonsensical schemes. No wonder we're flooding, or are we actually sinking?
And when I read comments such as, "Some of these people are just snots anyway. So, oh well," it reinforces that the groundlings will forever be for the most part only capable of appreciating nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows and noise.
Perhaps it's just dumb luck--or evidence of a absent, bored deity--that this city isn't immediately turned to salt (in which case we should probably consider it divine intervention and switch from beer sales to margaritas)!

wjbecky, concert audiences tend to be pretty stable and there are many who subscribe year after year, just like Packers season ticket holders. I don't think the July 4 concert really draws in that much of their audience; it's more of a long-term thing bringing in a few new people every year.
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This is going to be a rough year for all non-profits and Janesville's particular unemployment situation means it may continue to be rough for a couple more years.
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I know that there are going to be people already thinking about whether there's another group that could do something for July 4. But even a high school band will have costs.

everything that people love about janesville is leaving. what will be left when all is said and done. nothing enjoyable that is for sure

Art and entertainment are often considered luxuries...until they're gone. The reality is that we all need to take time out to enrich, relax or even distract our lives with art - whether it be with a live performance, an exhibit, or even as a participant. Do your part to keep the arts alive in Rock County:
- Attend a performance instead of going out to rent a video. Quite often you'll see the cost is about the same and that video will always still be available later.
- Support local students and their productions at the schools. Encourage student involvement in all the arts which promotes creative thinking and will forever enrich their lives.
- Start a weekly "art night" and try something new – perhaps visit one of the local galleries or taking an extension class at UW-Rock County
- Visit an exhibit whether it be the art on display at the Hedberg Public Library, at JPAC, the American Industrial Art Gallery in Beloit and many others.
- Volunteer your time with your favorite theatre group or other nonprofit arts organization. Become an usher, a docent, or even a performer!
For more information about the ways you can participate, visit www.rockcountyarts.com

JANESVILLE — No Verdi and no “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The Beloit Janesville Symphony announced Friday it has canceled its April concerts and July Fourth shows.
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How sad that once again music and the arts have to suffer. There seems to be no end to the support a junior hockey team gets in this community, while people that truly have a gift will not be able to share that with others because of a lack of funding.

being that they get the most exposure from those 4th of July concerts, is cancelling that a good idea?

just another loss in janesville

I am a musician but not with the symphony and it's so sad to see such talent go to waste even for one year. I certainly do hope that somehow the show goes on some possible way. This just isn't right.