MUSIC lovers are being urged to help save the Malvern-based English String Orchestra after its funding finally ran out.
The ESO has been struggling since it lost grants from Worcestershire County Council, Malvern Hills District Council and West Midlands Arts six years ago.
The English String Orchestra Ltd ceased trading after 26 years this week and is in negotiation with its creditors.
But the orchestra's board of directors is working with the Friends of the ESO to launch a fund-raising campaign.
They plan to launch it at the orchestra's silver jubilee gala concert at Malvern Theatres on Friday, April 7, which is now being put on by the friends.
Conductor William Boughton, the soloists and many of the musicians will be handing over their fees for the concert.
Sebastian Parsons, the board's chairman, said: "I'm very optimistic. If the concert raises the money and we can get some money from the Arts Council, then we can have a relaunch."
"We will have to trim our sails and we may well go back to the original string orchestra format.
He said the Elgar Festival, in Malvern later this year, will not be affected, as that has been transferred to a new promoter.
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