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Lifestyle

Money problems could close Winston-Salem orchestra

Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:59 AM

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Money problems could force a chamber orchestra in Winston-Salem that introduces classical music to children to stop operating next month.

Music director James Basta with the Little Symphony of Forsyth County told the Winston-Salem Journal the group needs $8,000 to present concerts in local schools from January through May.

Basta said the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County has cut the orchestra's funding. The number of individual donors also has dropped.

He said many businesses won't donate because they've already given to the arts council.

The council's Christine Gorelick says contributions to the orchestra in the past five years have ranged from $10,000 to $12,000. But Basta said about 10 years ago, the orchestra was getting about $20,000 from the council.

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Naturalist

We can do without arts during a recession : Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:09 PM

You're right about that. Most grade school kids would have a more memorable field trip going to a local park and feeding popcorn to ducks, which is free. The arts are an unnecessary luxury. Even during good times, the arts are little more than an entertainment venue, anyway.

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Times will get tougher

Arts Patrons should pay : Wednesday, December 03, 2008 11:43 AM

Why don't the arts patrons pony up and support the orchestra? They are the ones receiving the benefit. This is the classic case of taxing everyone in a city for the benefit of the elite. I suspect that most kids will not miss the orchestra if they don't come.

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It's for the children!

Times are tough, indeed : Tuesday, December 02, 2008 5:22 PM

Maybe they should shake down Salisbury City Council. They seem to be awash in cash. And they do support the arts. Perhaps they could fund the orchestra to come to Salisbury area schools, instead of Forysyth. Maybe even pay them the extra gas money. After all, IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN!

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