Musicians of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
In last Tuesday’s (2/20) Scotsman, Brian Ferguson writes, “The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) says the ‘critical role’ it plays in Glasgow’s cultural life will be ‘diminished’ after being told it will lose all of its local [government] support over the next three years. It is expected to cut back its performances at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, where the RSNO has a permanent base, as well as events in schools and communities across the city, as a direct result of a decision to strip the orchestra of £50,000 in each of the next three years. Leaders of the orchestra, which dates back more than 130 years, have described the approval of the cuts as a ‘significant blow’ after spending months lobbying senior councilors and officials to protect its annual grant from being wound up…. A spokeswoman for the orchestra said … ‘We recognize the economic pressures that the council faces…. The consequences of the decision will inevitably and regrettably mean a reduction in performances at the Royal Concert Hall and a loss of services to the schools and communities the RSNO serves in the city.’ ”
