Nevada Symphony Orchestra out of business

Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999 | 12:19 p.m.

The Nevada Symphony Orchestra has shut down because of financial difficulties.

A letter sent to the orchestra's musicians from board president Janet Tanno informed them the orchestra had ceased to exist.

"We (the board of trustees) have given 100 percent and beyond to continue the goal of a fine regular orchestra," the letter said. "We are without resources and have experienced many obstacles in the past few years that indicate we should cease the effort."

The orchestra, which has not played since summer, was plagued with financial problems throughout its 20-year history. Recent competition from the Las Vegas Philharmonic, an orchestra formed last year, made its survival even more difficult.

"The reality is that apart from the boards and conductors, it's all basically the same (musicians) anyway," said Lamar Marchese, general manager of Las Vegas' National Public Radio affiliate. "Given (the symphony's) financial history, it was probably time to throw in the towel and let someone else have a shot."

According to Richard Soule, chairman of the symphony players committee, the closure of the older orchestra means about 50 musicians will not receive back-pay owed to them. Those wages range from $180 for a single performance to as much as $5,000, said Soule.