Local
NSO receives two to one $50,000 challenge grant
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Jul 28, 2010 - 9:35 AM

The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its latest fundraising campaign with a $50,000 donation from a group of NSO supporters. The catch, however, is that in order for the NSO to actually receive the funds it must raise an additional$100,000 since the donation is set up as a two to one challenge grant. Without at least $150,000 in hand by the start of the 2010-2011 Symphony season, there is a real possibility that the NSO will not be able to open the doors.

Like many orchestras and not-for-profit arts organizations, the NSO has been severely hit by the economic downturn the last two years, according to Kenneth Olson, NSO Board President. Olson, who has personally donated close to $50,000 since becoming a Board member, has said that his willingness to donate reflects his understanding both of the critical financial situation that the NSO is in as well as his belief that the orchestra plays a very special role in the revitalization of the overall Norwalk and Fairfield County community. As the NSO kicks off this latest fundraising campaign, he also wants to underscore that assistance from private and corporate donations are needed more than ever and that it needs to come from all of the communities beyond Norwalk that the NSO serves including Westport, Weston, Wilton, New Canaan, and Darien.

At the recent celebration for the NSO’s 70th year, Olson, who is the developer of Wall Street Place, explained that he understands and appreciates the symbiotic relationship between his organization and the city. "(70) is a big number, and this is the place where we become new again," Olson said. "We are recreating the symphony as the musical hub of Norwalk. This symphony is really a unique symphony, as it really is in the community, in and out of performances. This is a chance to take the symphony to another place. But it is important to recognize that the NSO has gathered and garnered favor beyond just Norwalk over the last 70 years.”

The NSO has seen increased attendance the last few years, playing to overflow crowds for many of its concerts. The web site has a fresh new look, online ticketing is now available, and the NSO has met the Web 2.0. The orchestra is actively engaged in community programs such as Just for Kids, String Festival, and Orchestras Feeding America. Conductor Diane Wittry continues to not only to lead the NSO musically, but is a dynamic arts ambassador for the city as well. Yet despite all of the artistic success, the NSO is in a major financial crisis, having suffered setbacks due to the economic climate in recent years.

“People are not really aware of how orchestras are funded and stay alive,” according to Olson. “Symphonies are not businesses but charities. Tickets and subscriptions only pay for one third of the cost of keeping the doors open and mounting a quality season. Expenses continue to rise while performance revenue even with a full house does not keep pace. We try to keep our ticket prices at a level that everyone can have the live orchestra experience. In a down turn economy the other two-thirds of the needed revenue-private and public donations fall off,” Olson added.

“The math is simple,” Olson said. “If ticket sales for symphonies throughout the world cover only 35% of an orchestra’s costs, the rest must be raised through charitable contributions by those who recognize the value of a symphony in the life of their communities. We are working towards breaking that cycle through careful management, staff cutbacks and other fiscal restraints but we first have to play a lot of catch-up for the coming 2010-2011 season. We need to raise at least $150,000 to move ahead with this next season. We are excited about the upcoming season. Plans include American favorites Bernstein and Copland, our traditional Handel’s Messiah but we are also going to be introducing our audiences to exciting new performances of steel drum and guitar virtuosos accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra. We need the support of the community now.”

Contributions may be sent to The Norwalk Symphony, #1 Park Street, Norwalk, CT 06854. For more information, visit www.norwalksymphony.org or call (203) 847-8844.
The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra is a passionate group of professional musicians serving Norwalk and its neighboring towns, the heart of Fairfield County. Its mission is to provide friends with the opportunity to explore and discover the joys of orchestral music in an informal fashion. For over 70 years, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra has been a vital part of the fabric of the communities it serves and continues to enrich its audiences' cultural experience through live performances, pre-concert discussions and educational activities for all ages.

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