CRITICS have blasted as unrealistic the cost to put on one of Jamaica’s largest ever classical concerts.

The concert, tentatively planned for November, has a $45-million budget, which includes $12.3 million for overseas musicians and artistes, $12.5 million for marketing and promotion, $7.7 million for technical set-up and video recording, $6.1 million for orchestra and choir expenses, $4.2 million for venue rental and preparation (rented over a week), and $2 million for administration.

Despite the hefty price tag, event organisers Jamaica Symphony Orchestra (JSO) defended its proposal, stating that it is spending in order to deliver a historic event. According to JSO director of events, Gloria Dawkins, Jamaica needs to experience an international orchestra.

“This is important because orchestras are lacking in Jamaica and based on statistics, areas that have orchestras have lower crime rates and people generally are gentler and softer,” Dawkins told the Observer last week.

“The idea is to have a grand international launch and have members from other parts of the world included to make a big launch,” she noted, adding that the performance would be streamed live and also recorded.

The concert is to include some 150 performers, 50 coming from overseas. There are no superstar classical performers but Grammy winner Ziggy Marley is currently being courted for the orchestra’s signature Bob Marley medley. Conductors slated to perform include JSO’s founder, Dr Lisa Walker (Jamaica/US), Deneil Clarke (US), Stephen Ellery (UK), Andrew Marshall (US), Dante Valdez (Peru), Ted Runcie (Taiwan), and Liam Teague (Trinidad & Tobago). The concert will be held at King’s House in Kingston, but the Indoors Sport facility, also in Kingston, will be an auxiliary location. The Governor General will be the patron.

The performance groups include the JSO, comprising the Jamaica Youth Symphony Orchestra and Jamaica Debut Orchestra and JSO International, which includes musicians from around the world affiliated with the JSO. JSO is a five-section orchestra which includes strings, woodwind, brass and percussion, and steel pan.

“Led by Dr Lisa Walker, the international orchestra will be made up of the best players of JSO and other top professional musicians around the world and will provide another outlet for our advanced musicians,” stated the document outlining JSO’s budget and obtained by the Observer.

The JSO, in the 35-page document, outlined that the concert is projected to gross $13.35 million, with 70 per cent coming from ticket sales. Some $31 million in sponsorship is required to cover the budget shortfall.

Tiered sponsorship packages include platinum, gold and bronze but it will also seek donations as small as US$1 ($85.74).

However, some industry experts have criticised the high cost associated with the staging of the concert.

One critic, who asked to remain anonymous due to conflicting alliances, stated that the concert budget was too grand and similar to the entire Independence Grand Gala show, but with a fraction of the expenses. The critic argued that the number of foreign musicians would negate it being a Jamaican event.

“A concert … in which 49 musicians will be flown in. How can this be a Jamaica Symphony orchestra concert?” the critic stated, adding that many of the JSO include young musicians.

“It is like most are flown on in order to play loud enough, so the wrong notes can be covered,” said the musician.

Another critic, a thespian who asked to remain anonymous in order to avoid possible conflict, described the proposal as “hype and totally unrealistic”.

But Dawkins’ response is that the funds are needed in order to transform the orchestra into a professional unit. She said that the event would also mark the launch of the JSO International, the travelling arm of the JSO, explaining that any funds remaining from the concert would form seed money for the orchestra’s future travels.

JSO was launched in September 2008 but the planned concert will mark the first combined performance of the local and overseas partners.