The Macon Symphony Orchestra has announced that it will be holding one final concert, October 14, 2017 before closing. Bob Veto, board president, said the decision was made after a close examination of the symphony’s financial situation following the MSO’s 40^th Anniversary Season. “Our symphony, like many others, has struggled for some time now with declining ticket sales and declining corporate support, a trend that has been accelerating in recent years. Along with the decline in revenue, the cost of production continues to increase. In April, it became clear to our Board that we might not be able to exist beyond the current season, but with an abundance of hope and optimism, we planned a complete season and sent out subscriber information,” said Veto. “After careful review of the budget projections for the upcoming season, we have found that to attempt to stage all four planned concerts might end up with the MSO leaving many financial commitments unmet.”

Veto stated that the MSO musicians, many of whom have been performing with the symphony for decades, needed to be informed as early as possible so that they could seek other performance opportunities in 2018. In addition, the MSO has mailed a letter to season subscribers to inform them of the decision. Patrons are invited to contact the MSO office for a refund for the cancelled concerts and are also encouraged to consider offering the funds toward the expenses of the final concert in exchange for a tax donation receipt. “We would like to go out with a bang, and make this final concert one to remember,” said Veto.

“We are incredibly grateful for our loyal patrons, many of whom have been with us from the very beginning. We have a lovely group of supporters who adore classical music and the Macon Symphony, and they are the reason it has survived as long as it has,” said Veto. “We encourage everyone to support live music in Macon such as the Mercer Symphony concerts and the Macon Pops.”