INBOX: Letters to the Editor
Symphony needs funding to continue outreach

To the Editor:

Missing from the reports on the state budget is the fact that both House and Senate budgets propose the lowest amount of funding for North Carolina Symphony in five years.

The Symphony has gone 14 years without an increase in recurring state funding. Instead, in each of the past four budgets the State made special one-time grants. By not continuing that funding, the current House version reduces proposed funding by $530,000 versus two years ago; the Senate version reduces it $355,000.

North Carolina's Symphony built its legacy on strong traditions of statewide service and music education. However, these programs do not pay for themselves and indeed become more expensive each year. Combined with cuts in recurring funding several years ago, State support for these programs now represent only 19 percent of the Symphonyís budget.

Surely budget writers will acknowledge the importance that North Carolina Symphony plays as an essential component of our economic development and educational strategies. No orchestra is as committed to statewide service and music education as is ours, but we need increased recurring funding of $530,000 to maintain the same level of educational outreach throughout the state. Please join us in telling our legislators that these programs are important to North Carolina.

- David Chambless

Worters

President & CEO

North Carolina Symphony

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