May 5 First Tuesday Concert Cancellation
Dear friends,
In a move to reduce expenses and ensure a more favorable end to the fiscal year, the Charlotte Chamber Music board of directors has agreed to cancel its May 5 free First Tuesday Concerts. The resulting savings will enhance the organization’s financial position and create a stronger, more secure foundation when the First Tuesday Concert series resumes in the fall 2009.
The Sunday, May 3 Living Room Concert, (a ticketed series), and the annual benefit event on Saturday, May 16 will take place as scheduled.
Charlotte Chamber Music has had a strong season with audiences enjoying the popular First Tuesday Concert season as well as a new interim venue, strong attendance for the Living Room Concerts, and a new brand and name that better reflects the organization’s role and contribution to the community. The board remains committed to providing professional chamber music performances that are available to all members of the community, notably the free First Tuesday Concert series.
Nonetheless, the uncertain economy has resulted in a decline in individual and corporate funding, resulting in the board’s recent action, which also includes a two week staff furlough, and other operating expense reductions to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability and viability.
Charlotte Chamber Music is making strategic, fiscally responsible decisions today to strengthen tomorrow and create the best possible financial position to weather an uncertain year ahead due to the economy.
While we regret the cancellation of this year’s final First Tuesday Concert, the board’s decision was driven by responsible stewardship of community resources in light of funding declines and projections that the greatest impact to non-profits is yet to come with the July 1 start of FY10.
Difficult decisions now will help ensure that long-term resources remain available and fully intact, notably the organization’s endowment and cash reserves.
We will continue to be good stewards of your resources, but we also need your help. If you have already supported Charlotte Chamber Music, thank you! You have made a difference in ensuring our future as a major art organization in Charlotte.
If you haven’t already joined Charlotte Chamber Music as a donor, I urge you to consider one of many ways to support us either through a direct gift today as part of the Spring Matching Gift Campaign, by attending the May 16 The Salon Party benefit event, or by making a planned gift.
Your generous financial support allows us to
• produce 18 free chamber music concerts that are available to all members of our community,
• build a supportive and creative community for Charlotte’s leading musicians, and
• introduce chamber music to new and growing audiences.
We wish to thank many individuals and businesses, and members of the board that have stepped forward to generously support the organization this season. The community has shown significant support of Charlotte Chamber Music, including musicians from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and from the region that allowed us to present 16 free concerts this season, plus a full season of 4 Living Room Concerts.
