The Macon Symphony Orchestra informed its patrons with a letter on its website that after 40 years of entertaining middle Georgia residents, it will be unstringing its violins and packing away its timpani.
“It is my sad duty to communicate the news that the Macon Symphony Orchestra will be ending its existence after our October concert this fall,” wrote Bob Veto, board chair of the orchestra, in a letter posted this week.
The MSO had planned four concerts for the 2017-2018 season, but three have been cancelled. The Oct. 14 concert, which would have kicked off the season, will be the orchestra’s last performance.
The board chair wrote that Macon, a music-loving town known for Southern rock and rhythm and blues, had failed to support the orchestra in ticket sales.
“As many of you know, the Symphony has been experiencing declining ticket sales and declining corporate support in recent years, and that trend is accelerating,” he wrote.
“(W)e find that to attempt to stage all four concerts that had been planned might end up with the MSO leaving many financial commitments unmet, including paying our excellent musicians,” wrote Veto. “We felt that we needed to communicate with them as early as possible, so that they can seek other opportunities in 2018.”
The Macon Symphony Orchestra has “educated and enriched the lives of the people of Middle Georgia through live professional symphonic music” since 1976, according to the MSO website
The Oct. 14 concert is called “Opening Night With Jerry and Friends.” “Jerry” is Gerald Steichen, who became music director of the MSO in February, 2016. Steichen came to Macon from the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra in Connecticut.
The October concert is to feature Jessica Medoff, mezzo-soprano and Curt Olds, baritone, with the music of Gounod, Mozart, Gershwin and Sondheim.
Veto wrote that season ticket holders can seek refunds at the Macon Symphony Orchestra box office.
“We are incredibly grateful for our loyal patrons, many of whom have been with us from the very beginning,” wrote Veto. “We have a lovely group of supporters who adore classical music and the Macon Symphony, and they are the reason it has survived as long as it has.”
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