Racine Symphony regains financial stability; annual meeting June 8

Break out the trombones! Where's John Philip Sousa when we need him?

The Racine Symphony Orchestra has big news to announce at its upcoming annual meeting: Financial stability has returned!

After a challenging year -- one marked by the cancellation of three concerts --  the Symphony expects to retire its debt by the end of May. It's also adding a free concert this year.

Here's the story directly from the RSO, as it prepares for its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 8, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Ave. The agenda will consist of a review of 2009-2010 fiscal, artistic, and governance activities, as well as season announcements for the upcoming year. RSVP’s appreciated.

The Racine Symphony Orchestra has an amazing story to share. Last year we said programming would look different, it did and it does again. Only this year it will be stronger, better with  more concerts.

The Board of Directors has taken last year’s challenging global economy which affected the RSO in a negative way and made sweeping changes to stabilize the organization. Every aspect of the organization was impacted from the conductors to the musicians to the staff. Every expense was frozen or reduced. Concerts were developed around the musical pieces we had in our vast library. Collaborations were reinforced or developed.

Those changes have had an immediate impact this season and are projected to effectively put the RSO in the black and retire our debt before the end of the fiscal year, May 31. The Board of Directors achieved a fiscally responsible 2009-2010 season without compromising the high standards of the orchestra.

Realizing the economic climate is still tenuous in the Greater Racine Area; the RSO will increase this season’s concert to seven, one of them free to the general community. In anticipation of our 80th anniversary in 2011-2012, we have begun budgeting for the celebratory season. Programming will be special and the Boards intention is to continue community collaborations and increase the number of concerts.

Each year reports are written and the statistics continue to confirm that the arts are not just a community decoration. Development and support for a community’s cultural asset are critical; they not only enrich lives but also set that community apart from others. Strong cultural assets, such as the RSO, play a vital part in the Greater Racine’s community competiveness. The RSO's musicians, staff and Board see the role of the RSO as a responsibility to perform orchestral music at a high-caliber level for the community.

Concert tickets can be purchased by contacting the RSO at 262.636.9285 or online.