Posted on: Tuesday, February 12, 2002

Fund drive erases orchestra's debt

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

The Honolulu Symphony has raised $1 million to match a $1 million anonymous contribution that has wiped out the orchestra's accumulated debt from last year.

The successful completion of the fund drive on Dec. 30 means that the orchestra organization achieved a balanced budget for its 2001 fiscal year, said Stephen Bloom, executive director.

Gifts from many sources helped the symphony meet the goal in the required time. Among the larger grants was $100,000 from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

"Our goal of providing a strong and stable financial position to support the artistic excellence of the symphony is coming to fruition," Bloom said. Among the intended uses of the money: the orchestra's youth education program.

"I am truly gratified that support for this marvelous symphony is growing throughout the community," said Carolyn Berry, chairwoman of the orchestra's board of directors.

Berry said the orchestra will "take on the challenge of providing the highest quality music and education to the people of Hawai'i."