Without question, the Utah Symphony is in serious jeopardy - so serious that it may not survive for another season of music.
Like many symphonies in other major cities, the Utah orchestra has been plagued with financial troubles. But it has been such a brilliant fixture on the state's cultural landscape that few people have imagined it might be snuffed out so quickly.The possibility is a shock - and it should be. The symphony is a jewel in Utah's crown, not only in a cultural sense but also in the value it represents in attracting businesses to the state. One reason companies look on Utah with favor is the solid national reputation the state enjoys as a center for the performing arts.
Loss of the symphony would be a shattering blow to that image.
Members of the symphony board voted this week to give the musicians the required 21 days' notice that the upcoming season might have to be canceled unless the orchestra can drastically cut costs. The new season opens Sept. 1.
A proposed one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax to support the arts was defeated by Salt Lake County voters in early June - a heavy blow to the symphony and other troubled arts organizations. If the symphony cannot be saved, that negative vote will carry much of the responsibility.
For several years, the symphony has run a deficit despite excellent ticket sales and generous donations by music lovers. As a result of the shortfall, officials have had to borrow against the symphony's $3 million unrestricted endowment fund in order to help pay operating costs. But that endowment fund is nearly exhausted and the orchestra faces an approximate $800,000 deficit for the current season.
A forecast of next season's costs show a possible deficit of $1.2 million. With its borrowing power exhausted, the symphony board has no logical alternative but to cut costs or cancel the season, despite ticket sales that are 50 percent ahead of this time last year.
The orchestra has a $7 million restricted endowment fund, but only the interest can be - and has been - used. Otherwise, the money cannot legally be touched.
Negotiations with the musicians union must be pushed hard. All sides must bargain in good faith. That bargaining can have only one outcome: Deep and serious sacrifices will have to be made by symphony members and staff.
A proposal by the union that the symphony board of directors personally underwrite a loan is not a good answer. That only would continue the self-defeating tactic of living by borrowing and would leave the individual directors saddled with very large personal debts.
The only realistic alternative is to reduce operating costs, painful as they may be. If the season is canceled, efforts to save the orchestra for another day would be too late. That can't be allowed to happen.