With a debt of close to R17 million, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra is in dire financial straits.
But orchestra CEO Duncan Gibbon is determined to see the orchestra not only survive – he wants to see it thrive.
“We were placed under business rescue in October 2012 as we were in R22.5 million debt, which was mostly owed to musicians,” said Gibbon.
“That has dropped to around R17 million, but there’s no hope of reducing that, even over 20 years, if the current state of affairs continues.”
The debt was reduced in part when some of the creditors waived claims against the orchestra.
Gibbon said that the orchestra, established in 2000 after the death-knell sounded for the National Symphony Orchestra, did not receive funding from the city council, the province or from the arts and culture department.
The orchestra has received funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, although Gibbon said an application for 2014 had not been made.
“The 2013 grant arrived late, so we requested permission from the fund to spread the money over 2013 and 2014 – and it can’t be used to pay creditors,” he said.
Corporate sponsorships had also all but dried up, apart from R1 million from Anglo American and R100 000 from Hollard.
“The business plan approved by our creditors envisaged approximately R4 million in corporate funding per year, which would be broken into R1 million per concert season. The four yearly seasons each run for between four and six weeks,” he said.
This year’s third season, which was to take place in August, has had to be postponed due to a delay with the second portion of lottery funds.
Gibbon said the season would be rescheduled as soon as the funds had been received.
However, it hasn’t been all bad news for the orchestra.
“It is ironic that, in the middle of a very testing period [the orchestra has] been invited to perform at the Gabala Music Festival in Azerbaijan… [A] testimony to the quality of the musicianship that still prevails,” he said.
“We will leave on 24 July to perform [at the festival], a fully-paid tour for 72 musicians, and the first international trip.”
Gibbon said the orchestra planned to perform fundraising concerts later this year.
Details: 011 789 2733; www.jpo.co.za; info@jpo.co.za
WATCH: The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra perform outside the Rand Club:
Why should the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra exist?
- The orchestra provides employment to approximately 60 musicians and an administration team, as well as to conductors and soloists. It also provides opportunities to young South Africans, particularly from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
- It continues a cultural tradition that emanates from the 18th century – a tradition that reflects South Africa’s varied immigrant populations and embraces the choral traditions of indigenous cultures.
- The orchestra’s live performances create an oasis of relief from an over-communicative world and leave audiences energized and refreshed.
- The orchestra’s outreach programmes, based on integrated music education initiatives that focus on social transformation as much as musical skills development, can change the lives of many who feel abandoned by other social organisations.
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