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Supporter Letter
Dear friend , November 18th 2009
The Taunton Music Trust Directors have agreed that you, our loyal supporters, should receive an appraisal of the Orchestra’s doings, since at present you seem to be supporting us but receiving embarrassingly little in return.
All symphony orchestras are very expensive and all require substantial funding to survive. Most only receive about 30% of their income from ticket sales, and that assumes a fairly full house in a large capacity hall. A large scale event may cost in excess of £10,000, which cannot be found from ticket sales alone. It was the lack of a suitable hall and the withdrawal of public funding which led to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra leaving Somerset some 25 years ago. Orchestra West was formed because of the complete dearth of professional symphonic playing here. Many of you will have read Professor Mark Hepworth’s paper on the future of Taunton which refers to a need for proper infrastructure, and the importance of culture of our community is to progress properly.. You can download it from Taunton Deane’s website.
Initially Orchestra West was given a kick start by one or two of us putting private money in, but in addition we have been thrilled to have the support of Clydesdale Bank, Baker Tilley, Brewin Dolphin and others. Somerset County Council did provide a one off grant in 2008. Our other source of revenue is from friends such as yourselves. Some of you have been very generous indeed.
The financial crisis of 2008, still striking deep into many organisations, has led to an almost complete loss of funding, which has been a disaster for us. We eventually survived only because a number of people emptied their pockets and because we cancelled three planned events which were deemed to be too risky. We are now solvent, but lack the cash to risk a concert loss, having exhausted our reserves. The orchestra is therefore in ‘safe mode’ playing for other organisations as employees, but not able to launch our own purely orchestral programme. The Trust directors are engaged in a major Review, preparing a professional quality business plan and mission statement with which to approach truly major sources of funds as soon as the economic tide is right. They are looking in the long term to raise the orchestra into an even higher level through truly substantial funding.
I am directed by them not to present any programme, large or small, at the orchestra’s own risk. I would like to do a small series of three or four chamber concerts in 2010 which would carry a risk of up to £1000 each, as well as a couple of genuine symphonic concerts, which would each need at least £5000, preferably more, ‘up front’ money, before I could consider progressing them. In short, to perform these fairly minimal activities we need about £15000 of public support in advance of any public statements and programme publishing. . We are not fixated upon performing in Taunton, believing that other Somerset centres might support us at least as well. If any of you know of a benefactor who would take on one or more ‘units’ of my 2010 wish list I would be very happy to provide logo displays, reception facilities, guaranteed seats etc. for them.
In the meantime your monthly subscriptions allow us to tick over with our small core expenses and for that I am extremely grateful. Please think of it as an investment in our cultural future.
Yours sincerely and with much appreciation
John Cole
Two future events for your diaries:-.
Sunday December 13th 2009
Kings College Chapel Taunton
Orchestra West with Amici
Handel Messiah
Jennie Morris, Lisa Tustian, Peter Oakley, Peter Evans and David Soar.
This performance is slightly dramatised.
Pre concert talk in the chapel at 1915. Performance at 1930
Tickets £12 with concessions at Taunton Information Centre.
Good Friday April 2nd 2010
St Mary Magdalene, Taunton
Orchestra West with Amici
Bach B Minor Mass
Caroline McPhie, Helen Sherman (By courtesy of YCAT),.
Rupert Charlesworth Thomas Faulkner
Tickets £15 at Taunton Information Centre and through St Mary’s shop.
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