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Board considering dissolving Symphony; special meeting May 16
The Symphony of the Kootenays needs at least four new board members or else it will be dissolved, stated its board of directors May 10.
Declining attendance and greater difficulty in obtaining grant money are the main reasons for this move.
“After careful deliberation, the board passed a motion – unanimously – recommending dissolving the Symphony of the Kootenays at the end of June 2012. The board invites you to a special general meeting on Wednesday evening, 16 May 2012 and will act on this motion, unless a minimum of four new board members come forward,” stated Symphony president Hans J.A. Dekkers.
“Recent years have observed a steady decline in attendance. This decline, combined with economic pressures, has made fundraising amongst commercial companies more difficult. Grant income prospects for the 2012-2013 season are dubious. The board feels that it should make space for new initiatives and new ways in which symphonic classical music can reach our community. An alternative to shift the center of gravity of our organization to Nelson has been considered, but in the end was deemed unrealistic,” Dekkers said in a letter to musicians, membership and sponsors
The special meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday evening, May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Knox Presbyterian Church, located at Victoria Ave/3d Street S, Cranbrook.
The Symphony is also making two important requests of its membership and sponsors.
In view of the financial pressures of our organization, we kindly request of our subscribers to consider allowing the Symphony to keep the subscription price for the cancelled Chopin concert in their account, as a donation.
If you prefer the value of your tickets to be reimbursed, please contact General Manager Amanda Ball, at [email protected] or call 250-489-4932.
Following May 16, you will either receive a donation receipt, or a cheque, depending on your choice. The board hopes that you will choose the donation option (for which no further action on your end is required).
“If you are passionate about this motion of the board and have strong vision to allow the Symphony of the Kootenays to continue, and would like to join the board, please come to the special general meeting. In order to halt the board to act on the motion, at least four new board members need to come forward,” Dekkers’ letter noted.
“I would be very saddened to see this organization fold. As far as I am concerned there is no reason for it,” said Ball.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
