Jenn Arnold's visit to Chamber

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Symphony
Oregon Symphony to continue Salem tour
Matched grant will decrease deficit and allow for shows
BY BARBARA CURTIN • STATESMAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 3, 2010

The Oregon Symphony Association in Salem has succeeded in matching a $10,000 challenge grant from The Collins Foundation.

The local organization raised $10,821.50 from 137 donors, including 88 new ones. The challenge aimed to broaden support for the 55-year-old organization, which brings the Oregon Symphony to Salem for six classical concerts and three pops concerts each season.

"It will give us $20,000 toward decreasing our deficit budget that we have been operating under for the last couple of years, and it shows support of the community to keep the Oregon Symphony active in Salem," said Karin Holton, marketing and educational director for the symphony association.

Before winning the challenge grant, the symphony association expected to finish the 2010-11 fiscal year with a deficit of $55,000, she said. The group still welcomes donations.

The last fiscal year ended June 30 with a deficit of about $50,000 in a yearly budget of slightly less than $500,000. The deficit was resolved with funds from the association's reserve account.

Season ticket sales are down about 5 percent to 10 percent from last year for the classical concerts and about 20 percent for the pops concerts, Holton said.

However, the organization is trying a number of new efforts to fill seats at Smith Auditorium. An online promotion on Halloween sold 138 tickets for $20 apiece, about half the regular price.

Another promotion is planned starting the day before Thanksgiving, Holton said.

Along with the regular season, the association sponsors two performances of a children's concert each spring. It also pays for Oregon Symphony musicians and conductors to visit Salem-Keizer schools for coaching sessions.

Violist Jennifer Arnold visited West Salem High School on Tuesday as part of that program.

bcurtin@StatesmanJournal.com