The West Valley Symphony will be eternally grateful to community members who supported the symphony over its long performing history in the Sun Cities. They are truly angels in our eyes. We only wish the outcome could have been different.

The (symphony) board just decided we didn't have the cash to make payrolls at this point, and we'd better stop.

As you know, we have been struggling recently to keep our non-profit symphony orchestra afloat in the midst of a changing community and cultural environment. Symphony operational costs have risen and our donations and sponsorships are down sharply.

The response was very limited, and that was a clear message. Those top donors - and I called many of them - they just felt tapped out.

We're taking another handoff out of the game. The outcome will be to create capacity for the shipping community and give them confidence in our ability to meet their needs to grow.

It will always be there. She'll ever be a part of that history, and there's nothing she can do about that.