A group of prominent business and civic leaders have formed a committee aimed at reviving the bankrupt Honolulu Symphony.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Thursday the group has asked the retired president of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to develop a business model for the symphony.
The informally named Symphony Exploratory Committee has also filed for nonprofit status.
Group leader Oz Stender, an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee, says it would be a shame of Hawaii doesn’t have a world-class symphony.
Other members include former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano and ABC Stores President Paul Kosasa.
The 110-year-old symphony canceled its concerts and filed for bankruptcy in 2009, citing a sharp drop in donations. Its assets are due to be liquidated.
(Oh I DO hope that the musicians managed or is managing to purchase the music library, as we did here. That’s a valuable asset that would come in very handy should a new group be formed!)
Read more at the Washington Examiner
