Concert Called Off Despite Gift to South Coast Symphony

Financially strapped South Coast Symphony got another boost Wednesday but still had to scale back its season once again.

Computer researcher Albert Wong, one of three board members appointed in January to get the orchestra back on its feet, contributed $25,000 to help wipe out a $30,000 deficit carried over from last year.

But with $70,000 in current and anticipated debts still looming, a concert scheduled for March 4 at Santa Ana High School has been canceled. Instead, pianist Jose Feghali, who was to have been the featured soloist, will give a recital March 28 at the South Coast Community Church in Irvine.

“In order for us to get all of the way out of the woods, we’d need another $20,000,” said Sally Anne Sheridan, chairwoman of the three-member board. “Then we’d need--realistically, to get through the end of the season--another $50,000. That’s do-able.” She said the orchestra is negotiating with creditors and expects some grant money, although she declined to give specifics.

Financial problems have already taken their toll. In December, in a move to save about $8,000 in musicians’ salaries, the orchestra pulled out of a holiday concert with singer Florence Henderson (who ended up performing with her own accompanists).

A concert announced with baritone John Atkins for Jan. 21 was “postponed indefinitely.” No new date has been announced.

Nonetheless, Sheridan says she feels encouraged, especially by Wong’s gift. “Just when things looked very bleak, we’ve been given a leg up,” she said. “I’m not a Pollyanna. Obviously, we have a long way to go. But one has to crawl before one walks. I think we are now toddlers.”

Tickets to hear Feghali, who won a gold medal at the Seventh Van Cliburn Competition in 1985, will cost $10 ($7 for seniors and students). The recital will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Each ticket holder for the canceled March 4 concert will receive two tickets to the recital, Sheridan said.

The orchestra’s final concert of the season, with trumpeter Anthony Plog, is scheduled April 29 at Orange Coast College. Tickets will be $6 to $21. For information, call (714) 662-7220.