Musicians will be back on stage at the Civic Center in Syracuse this weekend, as the lifeboat organization of the bankrupt Syracuse Symphony Orchestra goes on stage for a special performance. Jon Garland, Chairman of Symphony Syracuse says it'll look like what you've seen in the past.
"It's a full orchestra," says Garland. "Because we've had so many musicians leave, we've had to fill some gaps with people who are long term trusted substitute musicians that we've used for years and a lot of them have been willing to go out of their way to help us out. We're looking at an orchestra of 65 to 70 people on stage this weekend."
According to Garland, planning for this weekend's show has been done entirely by the musicians.
"For us to do everything has been very enlightening," says Garland. "To try to keep your playing at a high level and to try to organize the concerts and also make sure the music arrives, the stands arrive, the chairs arrive and some is there to set them up, to make sure the lights are on and the temperature is appropriate. It's a lot for the musicians to do."
Garland says the Symphony Syracuse lifeboat will stay afloat as long as there's a possibility of a professional orchestra returning to Syracuse. The group has been at odds somewhat with the Syracuse Philharmonic, an organization based out of Syracuse University's Setnor School of Music. Garland says musicians believe the Syracuse Phil proposal might not be sustainable, because it uses only a few sources of support He adds musicians are meeting with Phil officials this week, and may also be announcing further performances.
This Sunday's performance at the Civic Center will feature the works of Beethoven, Shostakovitch, and Saint Seans and bring in world renowned violinist Elmar Oliveira.
