OSJ cancels concert due to lack of fund

OSJ cancels concert due to lack of fund

JAKARTA (JP): A year after new management and funding sources
brought back the Jakarta Symphony Orchestra (OSJ), the old
problem of funding has forced the management to cancel a show
planned for Nov. 28 at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

"We were taken by surprise," said the deputy manager of the
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Hussein Wijaya, but added that he
understood the situation.

"It just shows how difficult it is to present a serious
orchestra," Wijaya said. Nevertheless, this poses the problem of
maintaining the public's trust, he added. "Many in the audience I
asked were satisfied when OSJ last performed on Sept. 3 at the
opening of the Jakarta International Festival."

The cancellation came on Nov. 3 in a letter signed by the
Orchestra's manager, Umar Soediarso. Wijaya said there will be no
substitute performance.

The letter stated that the Orchestra could not secure
sponsorship for the Nov. 28 performance. The number of activities
during the recent APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum,
Wijaya noted, may be one reason why it is hard nowadays to secure
sponsorship.

Soediarso told The Jakarta Post that the Orchestra's 60
musicians were asked to entertain on Nov. 13 during a
gubernatorial welcoming of guests to the APEC Forum.

"It is difficult to seek sponsorship for performances which
are not far apart in time," Soediarso said. One performance needs
at least Rp 50 million (US$22,862.37) and each of at least ten
practice sessions a month needs Rp 1.5 million ($685.87),
including transportation and meals.

Seven years

The Jakarta Symphony Orchestra became active again last year
after being dormant for seven years. With a new management under
the Yayasan Adi Suara foundation, the OSJ set up last November
under the auspices of the Jakarta municipality. Formerly, the
orchestra was managed by the municipality whereas the Foundation,
led by former minister of Education and Culture Fuad Hassan, was
established to seek funding.

Several bankers like Robby Johan and Omar Abdallah have
committed to funding but regular sources are still needed.

Soediarso quoted Fuad Hassan, who has urged the Orchestra to
discuss further fund raising activities prior to the next concert
in December.

Wijaya said consultants from Australia and Japan have already
advised the Orchestra and the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta to approach
business circles, "which we have done for years."

Not many business people here, he said, have the need to
improve their corporate image, "they still focus on counting
profits." Even in advanced countries, Wijaya said, classical
orchestras do not yield profits.

But from experience, he added, "it is the business people
themselves who offer their resources when they watch a satisfying
performance." (anr)