The sound of sales

COEUR d'ALENE - For three decades, there have been two constants when it comes to the Coeur d'Alene Symphony: Music, great. Monetary status, not so great.

The story remains the same this year.

"It really is challenging to raise enough money to keep it going," said Linda Clovis, Symphony spokeswoman. "All symphonies across the country have been facing financial challenges."

And those challenges stretch to their fundraisers.

The Coeur d'Alene Symphony's Black & White Ball is set for Saturday. The black-tie event is being held in Post Falls at Templin's Red Lion Inn. No-host cocktails begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing to the music of the Coeur d'Alene Symphony.

It's going to feature a full symphony, Clovis said, which promises to be an unusual treat.

"The music is going to be phenomenal," she said.

Yet, sales are slow.

Tickets are $75, and they need to sell at least 100 tickets just to break even. As of Friday morning, they've sold about 50.

With a Tuesday deadline looming, Clovis is hoping to sell more tickets to support the symphony, which she believes is a tremendous asset to the community.

"It's an experience and we don't have anything like it in the area. We don't have another professional orchestra or group like this," she said. "Areas benefit by having orchestras."

She said people often look for towns and cities that support cultural arts, which includes symphonies.

"If we didn't have it, we would suffer as a community," Clovis said.

For the past 10 seasons, the Coeur d'Alene Symphony has been under the direction of David Demand, who will be conducting the Saturday performance.

"The Symphony has been thriving under David's direction," she said.

But monetary issues remains. The Symphony musicians are not volunteers, but paid professionals.

"It really is a challenge to raise enough money to keep it going," Clovis said.

She's hoping the community support the Black & White Ball.

The event was held annually since 2005, with more than 100 tickets usually sold, before being canceled last year due to a struggling economy.

It was brought back this year, with hopes it will be one of the nonprofit's main fundraisers.

She would love to see friends get together and buy enough tickets for their own table.

Between the dinner, the silent auction, the dance and the music, it will be an unforgettable evening for an organization that benefits the community, Clovis said.

Information: www.cdasymphony.org, 765-3833