Honolulu symphony can't pay musicians

Honolulu Symphony executive director Tom Gulick, left, chairman of the board Jeff Minter, center, and principal conductor Andreas Delfs are convinced the orchestra is moving in the right direction.

[Randi]

You really have to admire the commitment and true love these musicians have for their vocation! Tell me what other entertainers would be willing to sacrifice their time and effort for such meager financial return. A heart felt thanks to all those whose sacrifice, betters our island life.

[Armishanks]

The reporter should have followed up more on WHY the Lingle administration won't release the $4 million in funds authorized by the Legistlature for the last two years.

This is typical of the Lingle administration -- to deny needed funds to worthy groups and to go against the will of the citizens, expressed through their legislators.

[who knows]

Lingle and her cronies may know how to count beans but she sure doesn't have culture.

Playing chicken with the public funds and not releasing them timely is politics and a sign of incompetence. Where's the leadership?

I guess this is how we'll remember Lingle.

[Mike Hu]

It's such a shame that every thoughtful and intelligent discussion on anything in Hawaii has to be dragged down by the one or two people whose only passion in life is finding somebody to blame and abuse for everything that goes wrong in the world.

One would think that the only people who read the local newspapers anymore, are those seething with anger, rage, resentment.

I'm certain the symphony participants would appreciate "real" contributions -- instead of those who only have their hatred, anger, abusiveness, bitterness to "contribute" to society and the community solving of any problem.

That's how things get better.

[alice]

Yes, Lingle has been a disaster for hawaii. She is inept and dishonest.

But the problem with the Symphony is that it has never developed a plan to attarct a broad-based audience to its shows. Only a tiny percentage of the city has any interest. Perhpas it is time for the Symphony to fold. Those who want entertainment of this type can go to the much better SF Symphony.

[alice]

Kemn may be right. The Syphony has been shamelessly mismanaged with stolen money, debauchery and ineptitude. I really wish they would go away..the community is sick of this mediocre, whining group.

[bumpercrop]

Too bad they bad mouthed the Lion King. That show brought so much happiness to kids (and adults too). More people went to that than would gone to the symphony. I do like the symphony but the Lion King was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Honolulu needs another 'concert hall' that is big enough for those touring Broadway type shows, as the B.C. is too small. Also for the touring music shows. Then the symphony could have the B.C. to themselves.

[alice]

Yes, the Lion King was far better and more significant than anything the Symphony has ever done. Also, why won't the Advertiser do a real story delving into the mismagaement at the organization. WHY won't Lingle release this tax money. No one should waste their valuable donation dollars giving to this mediocre mess until we know what is really going on. What were past directors doing with credit cards and donated money? Advertiser is one big ad and usually fails to tell us what the real story is.

[T_J_Davies_Jr]

After several months of traipsing around town to follow the Symphony to less hospitable venues, I was very disappointed about the return to NBC. The City has raised the parking fee at NBC and the auditorium was freezing!!! The thermostats which are obviously set for a tropical outside ambience are never reset to accommodate severe winds and chilling rain squalls & downpours! NBC's management needs to exercise some discretion in conservating resources! Concertgoers should not have to resort to parkas & ski jacekts or furs & opera gloves to be comfortable. ARGHHH

[Justin]

I can't believe there are those who are encouraging the loss of a cultural and educational resource in our community. Just look at their website to see all that they do for music education across Hawaii. The loss of a professional Symphony orchestra would affect this city and state in negative ways that many don't realize.

[Music is a dying culture]

I hate how people compare the Honolulu Symphony and the Lion King. Oh, so what? Of course the Lion King is going to attract more people. They are two whole different things. One is a community music group and the other is a visiting broadway show. You can't really compare both and I commend the symphony for accommodating Lion King.

The Honolulu Symphony has much potential to help the community. Music is so important not just as a form of entertainment but works of a dying art. Hawaii might be in favor of reggage, pop, rock, or hip hop but all the genres have roots in Beethoven and Mozart. All musicians with the likes of Bob Marley or 50 cent or My Chemical Romance cite the musical theories created by great composers. MTV and VH1 are also running major programs to revive music education in high school. The Honolulu Symphony is just as necessary to preserve fine works in our community. I commend the group. Anything else is just cheap political talk.

Music (especially classics) are a dying art.

[Problem Solved]

forget blaming others:

increase the tax at the counter .25% for the symphony

change the paradigm, now

Dont as why, Molokai

[Roger That]

The Symphony, like other musical or entertainment groups, should be self-sufficient, meaning that it should exist exclusively on revenues generated by its performances and NOT on the public dole. The same goes for so-called "public radio" and "public television." We, the tax-paying public, should not be forced by our legislators to pay anyone who enters a profession that cannot sustain them. What's next? Jugglers? Sidewalk chaulk artists? Ukulele players? I am sure you get the picture.

[alice]

Roger is right. But the real problem with the Symphony is lousy management and lack of public attendance.

So, if Lingle won't release the tax dollars...why??? What is the real story here. Give your funds to Food Bank..not to this boondoggle.

[Janis]

How many people do you know who live paycheck to paycheck? If your employer didn't pay you this week, what would your reaction be? How would you pay your bills? A commitment was made to these musicians. They, in turn, made commitments. Decide later if you want to fund a symphony next year. Figure out NOW how to pay the musicians what they are owed.

[alice]

donors owe the players nothing. let the board of the Symphony take the money out of their own hefty wallets. No oen wnats this Symphony or its poor leadership and constant problems.

[In their defense]

While there is no arguement that the Lion King had a successfull run at NBC, one has to acknowledge that without Hawaii's full-time music and arts organizations, the concert hall would not exist.

Remember that the symphony is a non-profit organization with a mission statement not only to help provide a diverse musical environment but that they also committ to enriching the lives of all Hawaii's children through accessible and affordable music education programs.

The symphony not only performs as their own unique performing ensemble, they accompany the Hawaii Opera Theatre, the Ballet, and big name Pops artists such as Three Dog Night, the Temptations, Kenny G, and might even be teaching private music lessons to your children.

Most importantly, they love what they do for a living. Bravo! to the musician's for staying, especially when many cannot afford to fly home to their families over the holidays. What do they tell their kids when Santa didn't bring them anything this year.

[Palolo Lolo]

I don't know of many symphonies anywhere in the country that could operate on their gate receipts on classical music alone. That's why so many have devloped "pops" music (e.g. The Boston Pops), to supplement their income by drawing a broader audience base. I thought the Honolulu Symphony was doing fairly well with their pops programs. They had some good concerts with Keali'i Reichel and Na Leo that pulled in audience members who wouldn't have gone to a purely classical concert. These types of concerts are important to generate more income so that they can continue to do the classical concerts for those who appreciate them. The Honolulu Symphony should continue to expand its musical offerings to draw as wide an audience base a possible. They also need to continue to bring in the corproate and individual sponsors that all symphonys rely on.

[Curious]

Alice

Have you been to hear the San Francisco Symphony? What did it cost you for a round trip ticket, a hotel and expenses. Perhaps you could help some of us less fortunate than yourself enjoy a quality orchestra in our state. You obviously are rich and knowledgeable and therefore have all the answers. Perhaps this holiday season you could contribute some solutions as you have means and resources to burn.

[alice]

If they love their art so much why do we have to pay them. I would play for free if I loved it. No, there is a bad story behind the constant cries for money from the Symphony.