Orchestra at a crossroads

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra isn't playing its swan song, but its latest message is certainly dirge-like. Its operations have been suspended and the final season concert has been canceled -- the first time that has happened in its 75-year history.

The board of directors made the painful decisions hoping to avoid bankruptcy and move toward a new season in the fall.

But in addition to finding a way through a financial morass, the board also faces likely grievances by musicians who are losing jobs and income.

This is a pivotal point for the CSO and for Charleston. Both have hard work to do. The CSO must present a plan that is financially doable and artistically acceptable. And the community must determine if it is willing to pay what it takes to support a quality orchestra.

The prospect of this community without its orchestra is, as music director David Stahl said, "beyond tragic, it's beyond sad."

The CSO is a mainstay of the Lowcountry, and not just in giving concerts. Its musicians teach in schools, give private instruction and play for weddings and receptions and in local houses of worship.

Its presence, and its reputation for excellence in recent years, has helped define the area and attract people and businesses here. And its music has been a source of beauty and inspiration during times of war and depression.

But, in the past 10 years, the orchestra has ended its season in the black only once. It has survived with help from a major donation here and a bequest there -- not a sustainable business plan.

It was in 1998 that the board of the symphony made the decision to push the CSO to the next level by increasing the staff, expanding the programming and offering musicians more attractive salaries and benefits.

The risk seemed worth taking, and the artistic results were terrific. But the business plan turned out to be unrealistic. Even before the recession, it became clear that the community wouldn't provide the financial support necessary to keep the orchestra performing at that level -- despite untold efforts by the CSO League and its major contributions to the orchestra.

It is difficult to say why that is. Changing tastes? Young people are only a small part of CSO audiences and black people even smaller.

Coastal Community Foundation president George Stevens said the temporary shutdown gives time for rebuilding "piece by piece" and regaining the community's confidence. Let's hope he is correct.

Let's also hope that local audiences and donors will support a leaner Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Its recent concerts have been significantly scaled back, and programming has not been so expansive. But the music has been skillfully presented. Having a smaller sound and more restricted selections is far better than the deafening silence of no concerts at all.