Update - August 2010

Resurgent Everett Symphony vows to reflect the community...
Do you remember the Everett Symphony Orchestra? Well, it's back. Beset by financial problems and having to cut its season short in...
Date: 08/01/10 | Everett Herald

The Everett Symphony Orchestra has retired its $500,000 debt, using endowment funds with the approval of the original donors. Due to debt that was accumulated from nine years of operating losses, the Symphony has taken action to dramatically reduce its operating expenses.  The ESO rehearsal hall and administrative offices in downtown Everett have been sold and will be vacated at the end of January.

The Symphony now emerges with significantly reduced administrative expenses.  The board operates on an all-volunteer basis and now has only one paid staff member.  "Switching from deficit operations to pay-as-you-go operations is a painful change for the Symphony," said Roger Pawley, the symphony's volunteer CEO.  "We now emerge as a debt-free organization with a still significant endowment, but there must be a change in how we do business."

To that end, the orchestra and board have taken steps to lay a new foundation for a revitalized organization that can continue on as a strong and vibrant sound in our community. One of these steps is a community-wide planning process to find what our community wants from its symphony.

The Everett Symphony Orchestra and the Everett Mall have also successfully negotiated a new partnership to explore the relocation of the symphony headquarters to the Everett Mall.  The space under consideration is the 3-plex theater vacated in 2006 when Regal Cinemas moved into its 16-plex theater elsewhere in the Mall.  A one-year feasibility study will be conducted to determine if the space can be modified to be used as a rehearsal hall and performance venue for some of the Symphony's smaller performances.  Large classical concerts will still be performed at the Everett Civic Auditorium as scheduling permits.

Included in the feasibility study will be discussions with other local performing-arts groups to see if the space might also be used for multiple purposes.  Linda Johannes, Everett Mall's representative, said Steadfast Companies, owners of Everett Mall, were pleased about the potential to broaden arts and entertainment offerings to the community.  "The Everett Mall owners are making an incredible contribution to the community with this partnership," said Myrna Overstreet, Symphony's Board President.

 
During the feasibility study, the Mall will host a number of smaller performances in the Mall's common areas including the Boeing sponsored Young People's Concert, featuring the acclaimed music performers Lisa and Linda with Let Your Music Shine™. This free concert, geared toward children from birth to age 7 and their families, will be held in the mall's common area adjacent to the children's play area. To receive current event dates and times you are encouraged to add your name to the guest list at EVERETTSYMPHONY.ORG/SHINE

In order to complete the change to pay-as-you-go, and to strengthen resources, the January 29, "American Idols" concert will be the last concert of the 2009/2010 season. The symphony is planning for a strong return in the fall of 2010, while continuing to implement further changes for the benefit of the financial life of the symphony. The symphony urges continued community support during this critical transition.

Everett symphony staff and volunteers are currently in the process of contacting patrons who have purchased tickets for the remainder of the 2009/2010 season. Those patrons who have not purchased for the January 29, concert, but still have tickets for the remainder of the 2009/2010 season are encouraged to exchange their tickets for entry to the January 29, concert. Full refunds will be issued for those patrons not choosing to turn their remaining season into a tax-deductible donation. For more information please call 425.258.1605 ext. 801 - 802. or email info@everttsymphony.org .