County must step in to help Marin Symphony

As all of us know, we live in a very special place. Part of what makes Marin County so attractive is the rich set of artistic offerings it provides. In particular, the Marin Symphony is a gem. We are so fortunate to have it here — in our midst, close to home. It delivers outstanding music in an accessible venue.

Indeed, the Marin Symphony adds a whole layer of beauty to our already beautiful county. But the symphony has to manage on a comparatively limited budget. Now, with imminent closure of its performance site — the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium — for needed seismic repairs, our symphony faces both logistic and financial challenges.

Operating on a small budget in a county with a relatively small population means it does not have a safety net. It and other local artistic groups are just emerging from the serious problems inflicted by the COVID-19 shutdown, with resultant sharp declines in audience revenue. Now the move to a temporary performance site — the Exhibit Hall — means a 50% reduction in available seats, however the county is charging the same fee. In addition, other funds must be spent to make the temporary site more suitable.

This is no way to treat a local treasure. What is needed is for local leaders (especially the county supervisors and administrator) to engage with symphony leaders and other officials from artistic organizations to ease this financial burden by either waiving or significantly lowering the fees they will be charged.

— Dr. Steven A. Schroeder,

Tiburon