Symphony Board Votes to Disband If Funds Not Found

As expected, the full 18-member board of the South Coast Symphony has voted to dissolve the orchestra in six weeks unless at least $80,000 can be raised by then, according board chairwoman Arlene Schafer.

The vote, which Schafer said was unanimous, was in line with a tentative decision reached last week during an emergency board meeting. The orchestra’s ticket sales and corporate support have been declining.

Orchestra officials said they have been offered $100,000 from a private source that would ensure a 1992-93 classical series as well as a summer series at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa. But to secure the money, the orchestra has to come up with matching funds and has been unable to do so.

Schafer said it’s too soon to tell whether refunds will be available to those who already had subscribed to the 1992-93 season. She added that orchestra officials are talking with Pacific Symphony and Orange County Philharmonic Society officials to see whether they will honor the subscriptions.