Talks on orchestra

Press, 2 May 1984, Page 6

Talks on orchestra

The future and funding of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will be discussed at a meeting of local councillors and orchestra members this month. Sir Michael Fowler, the chairman of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, will also attend, said the orchestra’s manager, Mr Chris Broderick. Mr Broderick said the orchestra had written to local councils asking the Mayors, chairmen, chairmen of policy and finance committees and grants com-

mittees to come to the meeting to discuss the recently released five-year plan for the orchestra. The plan, which outlines ways of broadening and diversifying the orchestra’s activities within the community and of providing employment for musicians, was drawn up last year. A committee of musicians, business people, administrators and supporters, headed by Ms Kathy Emery, compiled the plan. The plan had been sent to councils, Mr Broderick said.

The May meeting was to discuss the plan and future and funding of the orchestra. “Basically we hope to persuade the councils, including the Queen Elizabeth Arts Council to accept the principles of the plan and fund accordingly,” Mr Broderick said. The orchestra’s funding had dropped in real and actual terms, he said. “In 1973 we received between $22,000 and $25,000 and last year we got 521,000.” The orchestra had this

year asked for $49,000, although to return to the 1973 level the figure should be $BO,OOO. “We have said to the councils please help us. We are not just looking to them but seeking a partnership between the Arts Council, the local councils and orchestra. There has been a change in emphasis,” Mr Broderick said. The plan showed the orchestra needed a full-time sponsorship and fund-raising officer, he said. Such a position would be one of the subjects discussed in May.