General Motors and Detroit

[Chris]

Tubenet,

I have caught word of some events with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and want to know if anyone out here can confirm or deny them.

My understanding is that with General Motor's recent bankruptcy, a significant amount of funding for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has been pulled. Such a high amount that the upcoming season may be canceled while attempts to gain the revenue needed to sustain their quality music are made.

I'm curious if anyone knows anything about this. Sad news either way, true or false.

Thanks,
--Chris

[Uncle Buck]

I know NOTHING about this specific situation, but it seems like the type where I would not believe ANY rumors until I hear something from an official source.

[james]

You're "catching up" on old news.

YES, GM cut their funding to Detroit (BEFORE the bankruptcy was announced).
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/29993 ... n-detroit/

Notice that GM's contribution to the DSO was only about $100,000 a year. That's a drop in the bucket for the DSO's budget.

Yes, this cut in funding threatened the cancellation of concerts and huge layoffs.

HOWEVER, someone stepped in just last week to help cover the slack.......

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wire ... ony-grant/
http://www.freep.com/article/20090603/ENT04/90603093/

You guessed it..... FORD.



(...and they didn't take any bailout money.......)


james

[Kevin Hendrick]

Glad to hear it's covered.

[james]

Yes, but also notice that this is a donation for "....fund-raising and marketing initiatives." and to "....expand its donor base."

a.k.a....a donation to help them find more donations.

Also, notice that "the DSO must raise another $2 million by August 31st in order to balance their budget.".........

[Todd S. Malicoate]

I would hope a wise Latino tuba player, with the richness of his/her experiences, would more often than not reach a better conclusion about the tempo of Prokofiev 5 than an old white guy.