PINE BLUFF -- The Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra will play its final bars of music March 21, marking the end of a 28-year span that has included bringing some of the world's most revered compositions to life in the Arkansas Delta.
Diane Ayres, who sits on the symphony's advisory board, said the decision to shut down wasn't easy.
"We have such a rich history here in Pine Bluff, and that has meant so much to us," Ayres said. "But we have run our course, and it's time for us to move on."
Though the symphony has remained fiscally sound throughout its existence, Ayres said, many within the organization were concerned about the future. Financial donations have been declining over the past several years, and symphony officials said they didn't want to run into a situation where finances ran out midseason.
Ayres said about $30,000 is needed to put on a single performance.
"We have always been able to pay our bills and our musicians," Ayres said. "But when you look at the graying of our supporters and audience members, you realize that there really is not much of a future in Pine Bluff for a symphony orchestra. Pine Bluff is no longer what it was."
Bill Fox, the symphony's executive director, said another factor is a decline in younger generations' interest in classical music.
"I was recently in New York, and other symphonies of similar size to ours said they were experiencing the same types of issues," Fox said. "It's a nationwide issue. Plus, many donors are just not giving like they used to."
The Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1987 in response to interest from a string music instruction program at Pine Bluff.
The program was first offered for fifth- through 12th-graders, and as the students matured and their skills developed, they wanted an additional venue for performing and continued growth, according to the symphony's website.
The symphony will end its 28th season at 7 p.m. March 21 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center's auditorium with a show titled "Exotic Inspirations." Musical selections will include Scherherazade by the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, along with works by Carl Maria von Weber and American composer Charles Griffes.
Joy Pennington, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Council, which has provided some funding for the symphony in recent years, said the closure of any type of arts organization can have ripple effects throughout a community.
"When you look at it economically, companies who want to bring jobs to a community look at quality of life, and the arts bring such a rich addition to our lives," Pennington said. "The Pine Bluff Symphony has contributed so much to the culture of Pine Bluff for so many years. This really will be a blow to the community."
Across Pine Bluff on Friday afternoon, news of the symphony's impending closure hadn't spread widely. But those asked about it expressed sorrow.
"I remember going there with my dad when I was a little girl, and to think that I won't be able to take my kids there is just sad," said Regina Thomas, 19. "Looking around Pine Bluff these days, it seems more is leaving than coming in. It really makes me sad."
Pine Bluff Alderman Steven Mays said he plans to contact symphony officials to see what the city could do to help keep the organization open.
"We need all of the arts and entertainment opportunities we can get in this city," Mays said. "I want to roll out the red carpet for them. I hope there is something we can do to keep them open. They are an important part of our community."
Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth said there would be nothing the city could contribute to help keep the symphony afloat and that she "understands their plight."
"When you have been around nearly 30 years, and you have exhausted all of your funding sources, something has to give," she said. "I think the way they have chosen to bring this to a grand finale is the best decision for them to make."
State Desk on 02/07/2015