Dressed in black, more than 50 Honolulu Symphony musicians yesterday demonstrated their determination to carry on despite the symphony's filing for bankruptcy and the economic lurch that they find themselves in.

Steve Dinion, spokesman for the musicians, said they have not been paid since mid-October and have lost their health insurance. At a press conference at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, Dinion pledged that the musicians are "not giving up. It is clear to us that Hawai'i both needs and deserves a professional symphony orchestra."

Dinion, a percussionist who has been with the symphony for 18 years, said the Honolulu Symphony Musicians Orchestra Committee, which he chairs, has received "many calls of concern" from supporters.

He said the symphony musicians will accept donations Sunday when they perform a free concert of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Blaisdell Concert Hall to generate community support. He called the concert "our gift to the community for all their support and a demonstration of our commitment."

The symphony filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in federal court Friday.

The 109-year-old symphony, which bills itself as the oldest American orchestra west of the Rockies, said it needs to cut its debt and reduce its payroll by as much as half.

Majken Mechling, the symphony's executive director, has called the filing unfortunate but necessary. The symphony listed assets of $100,000 to $500,000 and debts of $1 million to $10 million to 200 to 1,000 creditors.

The symphony has canceled all of its November and December concerts, putting its 64 full-time orchestra members out of work.

Yesterday the musicians played for the Ballet Hawaii production of "The Nutcracker" at the Blaisdell.

Dinion said the musicians will continue to perform with the ballet and Hawai'i Opera Theater.

He also said that the musicians are receiving assistance from other symphonies on the Mainland and their nation union, the American Federation of Musicians.

"Everyone's trying to survive on gigs or teaching," Dinion said yesterday, "but it's very difficult."

He said the musicians will search for ways to maintain their unity and visibility in the community. "We will do whatever we can to ensure that Hawai'i continues to have the orchestra it deserves."

Dinion was not specific about what legal or fund-raising options the musicians might pursue. But, he said, "we will keep performing to keep us together."

He urged anyone who wants to contribute to the musicians' effort to go to their Web site, www.honolulusymphonymusicians.org.

Mechling said last week that the organization had little choice but to downsize. For the past 20 years, the symphony has operated with a $2 million deficit, which was no longer feasible, she said.

The symphony, which was founded in 1900, is among a host of Mainland symphonies — including those in San Antonio, Nashville, Colorado Springs, San Diego and Oakland — that have filed for bankruptcy protection during the past two decades.