The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra has more ups and downs than a maestro's baton, but at the annual general meeting of the Saskatoon Symphony Society on Thursday night, the focus was on the ups.

A small surplus of $30,000 is projected in its 2009-10 budget, which will go to pay back the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Last year, the symphony recorded a deficit of $94,000. If the arts board hadn't come to the rescue, "frankly, I would say the organization would not exist anymore," Treasurer Bruce Simms told the meeting. The deficit is largely covered by an $80,000 loan from the arts board.

"It's been challenging in terms of finances," said President Bev Drew. "I think we squeezed everything we can and have come out OK."

Also crucial was the SSO's annual book and music sale. The 10-day event raised $113,000, which is up six per cent from the previous year. Between 55 and 65 volunteers work year-round on the sale, which has raised almost $1 million since 1989.

In an ongoing effort to cut expenses this season, the symphony reduced its Chamber Series, a consistent money-loser, by one concert. But it increased its Music for a Sunday Afternoon concerts to six from four. It also moved offices, which saved 60 per cent on rent.

The key to bringing in more money is the pops series, the organization believes. It's projecting revenue of almost $170,000 from the three-show offering of The Magnificent Westerns (movie music conducted by Tommy Banks), rising jazz star Nikki Yanofsky and the Canadian premiere of Puerto Rican tenor Fernando Varela. The pops series is a joint venture with TCU Place, which shares the risk but also the profits.

Total expenses for 2009-10 are projected to be $1,057,957 against revenues of $1,087,957.

Fundraising continues to be a challenge for the organization, particularly in recessionary times. Fundraising co-chair Lynn Ewing told the meeting that fancy galas are out for now because they risk losing money.

Instead, there will be a greater number of smaller events. The upcoming Off to the Races, an evening at Marquis Downs, has more than 70 signed up for the $100 per person event.

Outgoing general manager Shelley Ewing singled out the musicians for continuing to sound so good.

"It's so hard to do what you do at a time of trouble. You've made it a true joy working with this organization."

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