Board members of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra decided to cancel the final performance of the school year because of recent budget issues.
The concert was scheduled for April 30 in John R. Emens Auditorium, which would have cost the orchestra $35,000 to perform.
Fred Reese, a board member and season ticket holder, said the decision was made because of a lack of funds, which has been a consistent problem all year. Throughout the season, the board wondered if it would have enough money to perform the next concert. For the final concert, it chose to not add more money to its $100,000 deficit.
Reese said it had to be done, but he isn't happy about what happened.
"No one wanted to do it. It's the right decision, as far as financially. We feel horribly that we are in this position," he said. "On a positive note, we need to let the world know that we will have a season next year."
Elissa McDonald, executive director of the symphony, said that although the decision was a difficult one, it ensures that the symphony will have more seasons.
She said in order to save money throughout the year, she would schedule rehearsals with certain groups, such as the strings that make up more than half of the symphony. It is more efficient than paying the entire orchestra to attend practice when directors could focus on one group at a time.
McDonald said that they have never before had to cancel a concert because of budget issues.
"It's disappointing. It hurts, but it's the only decision we could make to save next year's season," she said.
Season ticket holders are able to receive a refund for the cost of the ticket if they wish, but many patrons are choosing to donate the money, McDonald said. She has received phone calls from people wanting to support the symphony and its members financially and emotionally.
Ticket holders were notified through a letter in the mail. If they do not contact the symphony to ask for a refund within 30 days, it is assumed they chose to donate the cost of their ticket.
Although the April 30 concert was scheduled to be the only April concert, there is still one performance before the Muncie Symphony Orchestra finishes its season. An April 19 concert for young people is a rescheduled concert that was originally planned for Feb. 1. It was canceled due to the ice storm.
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