A report in Monday’s (5/20) News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida) states, “Southwest Florida Symphony faces a crushing debt that has symphony leaders discussing emergency fundraising and the possibility of scaling back their 2013-2014 concert season. Meanwhile, at least one symphony musician has struck out on his own to help pay the $200,000 owed by June 30. Principal flutist Bill Larsen started a GoFundMe page last Wednesday to raise money for the ailing symphony. In less than a week, he’s raised $7,000—just from hitting up friends, musicians and family members for donations. His goal is $30,000. ‘It is time to give back to the organization that has given me the forum to perform magnificent works of music and the opportunity to grow as a musician,’ Larsen wrote on the web page. ‘It may be a “pipe-dream,” but my goal is to give back in kind, $30,000 for 30 years, raised over 30 days.’ Donors who give more than $50 will get a home-made CD of some of Larsen’s favorite performances with the symphony.”
Posted May 22, 2013
