Local orchestra survives setbacks

The New Mexico Philharmonic seeks to continue the tradition of orchestral music in the state, despite the recent financial failure of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.

The NMSO filed Chapter Seven bankruptcy in April, but many of its musicians have reorganized to form the New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra.

Philharmonic Musicians Representative Carla Lehmeier-Tatum said the failure of the orchestra hurt the local music culture,
putting many UNM musicians in difficult financial positions.

“There was great concern about the ability to retain the University of New Mexico music faculty with the announcement of the NMSO bankruptcy,” she said. “There were close to a dozen UNM music faculty members who lost jobs with the New Mexico Symphony when the organization filed for bankruptcy.”

Lehmeier-Tatum said she hopes UNM and the New Mexico Philharmonic can work together in the future.

“Discussions on future concert collaboration with the UNM fine arts department will be explored to feature the students of the University on a yearly basis,” she said.

UNM Music Department Chair Steve Block said he agreed collaboration was important

“We remain completely involved and engaged in the future of any
orchestra in Albuquerque, traditional or non-traditional,” he said.

Just before the NMSO filed for bankruptcy, the organization owed $242,000 to Popejoy Hall, Popejoy director Tom Tkach said.
“We allowed the debt to grow because we didn’t want to be the downfall of the symphony,” he said.

Tkach said Popejoy will continue to hold the old performance dates reserved by the NMSO for the Philharmonic.
The New Mexico Philharmonic held its first performance at the Kimo Theatre May 27.

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said in a statement he supports the Philharmonic.

“I cannot imagine Albuquerque, a city that strongly supports the arts, without a top-rate orchestra,” Berry said. “For nearly nine decades Albuquerque’s residents and visitors have enjoyed live classical music, and I am pleased to learn the formation of the New Mexico Philharmonic will keep that tradition going.”