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Little Symphony may be stilled
Director says orchestra needs $8,000 to keep going until May
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Published: December 2, 2008
A chamber orchestra that introduces classical music to children may stop operating in January because of money problems.
James Basta, the music director of the Little Symphony of Forsyth County, said yesterday that his group needs $8,000 to present concerts in the area's elementary schools from January through May.
He blamed the budget shortfall on several factors, including decreases in the group's yearly allocations from the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and a declining base of individual donors, many of whom have moved away or died.
"We have fewer and fewer people and businesses that we can approach for donations," Basta said.
Angie Shore teaches first grade at Lewisville Elementary, where the Little Symphony has performed many times.
"It would be a shame for them not to continue operating," she said, adding that the symphony "comes right to the school (and) costs the students nothing."
Basta said that when the symphony approaches businesses for donations, they decline, saying that they have already contributed to the council's annual fund drive.
Christine Gorelick, the council's vice president of external relations, acknowledged that groups may have a hard time securing additional money after a fund drive. But she said that council allocations to the symphony in recent years have not declined but remained flat. Since the 2004-05 year, these have ranged from a low of $10,400 to a high of $12,000. Basta agreed, but said that about 10 years ago, the council was giving the symphony more than $20,000 a year.
"They kept cutting back," he said.
In recent years, the council has been able to increase the amounts of money raised in the fund drive. But the competition for council dollars has increased because there are now more funded members, such as the Little Symphony, able to apply for operational-support grants.
The Little Symphony of Forsyth County, which consists of current and former members of the Winston-Salem Symphony and accomplished amateurs, was formed in the late 1970s. It performs yearly in the county's public elementary schools, presenting the same kid-friendly program about 40 times between September and June. Basta said that each concert costs $600 -- just enough to pay each of 20 players.
"They play for peanuts," Basta said.
Basta has been conducting the symphony since 1982. He is a former horn player in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, and he played the organ at White House church services during the Nixon administration. After he retired from the band, he became the music director of Home Moravian Church. He is now working for Unity Moravian Church in Lewisville.
The symphony's concerts are short and lively programs of several brief pieces; they employ such visuals as marionettes; they revolve around a theme (this year's is "Toyland," with each piece related to toys); and they feature brief talks by Basta.
The Little Symphony of Forsyth County is the parent organization for both the symphony and Salem Community Orchestra.
The Salem Community Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. Friday in Hanes Auditorium at Salem College. There will be no admission, but donations will be solicited for the Little Symphony and the Community Orchestra.
■ Ken Keuffel can be reached at 727-7337 or at kkeuffel@wsjournal.com.
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