What is the Sound of No Hands Clapping?
The persistent dip in the economy has proved too much for some arts institutions. Of particular note is the stunning recent wave of orchestra closings and dissolutions across the US.

If you're a fan of classical music, grab a hankie and visit the sites (now, essentially on-line obituaries) of the following institutions:

• Florida Philharmonic (serving South Florida: Boca Raton, Broward, Miami, Dade & Palm Beach) - announced suspension of operations on May 10, 2003
• San Jose Symphony - closed
• Colorado Springs Symphony - closed
• San Antonio Symphony - halted season, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 11, 2003
• Tulsa Philharmonic - closed

In a May 14, 2003 New York Times article by Stephen Kinzer, we also learn of the extraordinary challenges being faced by orchestras even in some larger US cities, such as Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Houston. In many cases, economic stress has led to drastic renegotiation of musician's union contracts, emergency appeals for funds, even strikes and show cancellations.

Taking a somewhat contrary viewpoint, the May 31, 2003 edition of The Economist declares classical music to be "booming," despite prevailing pessimism. The magazine cites a growing number of musical groups in the Association of British Orchestras and healthy CD sales. While noting that change is indeed taking place -- orchestras and their musicians must spend more time teaching and providing education programs to earn their keep, and the CD sales figures do include film scores, "trite compilations, cheesy tenors and the products of eye-catching artistes" -- the Economist declares that orchestras are finding the new audiences they need to replenish their aging traditional ones.

Read the May 14 New York Times article by Stephen Kinzer [fee required]

Read the May 31 Economist article [fee required for non-subscribers]

Visit the Association of British Orchestras and the American Symphony Orchestra League