UTICA, ONEIDA CO. -- The Utica Symphony Orchestra has been silenced in its 100th year amid debt, staff cuts and the resignation of its longtime conductor.
Orchestra board members say they need to raise more than $100,000 to cover debts and to pay musicians and conductor Chuck Schneider for last season.
The Observer-Dispatch of Utica reports that the orchestra's most recent budget of about $300,000 was sliced by one-third due to state and federal cuts and that donations are down.
The orchestra board is trying to find sponsors to pay its debt so it can reinstate programming for spring. Its website is currently not available.
This comes on the heels of the dissolution of the Syracuse Symphony after that orchestra filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
