By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer

David Steele has a Christmas wish: To build an endowment for the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.

The 32-member orchestra, which has struggled to survive for most of its 28 years, is limping through the economic downturn - a slump that has even major orchestras singing the financial blues.

"There's no endowment, so every year is on a break-even basis," says Mr. Steele, 48, the CCO's new executive director. "It's tough. . . . There were some operating surpluses that were put into CDs or stocks. The last few years, those were used to cover some operating shortfalls. There aren't any reserves anymore."

Mr. Steele has had catching up to do since taking over as executive director of the orchestra this year. Tall, easy-going and confident, he's taking stock after stepping in following a seven-month gap with no executive director after his predecessor, James Edgy, retired.

Artistically, he stepped into what is possibly one of the top chamber orchestras in the country. In January, the CCO will renew its contract with up-and-coming maestro Mischa Santora, now in his third season. Former music director and widely hailed Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart will make a gala return, Jan. 26-27.

But every penny of the orchestra's $400,000 budget is taken. It took most of the fall for Mr. Steele to catch up with nonprofit reports that were due the Internal Revenue Service, and grant applications that needed to be sent.

He is still seeking sponsors for the current season. The orchestra did not receive funding from the City of Cincinnati this year - $3,000 it couldn't afford to lose.

"Without having reserves to fall back on, it's been a challenging year," he says. "We're making it, but I've got $30,000 worth of bills sitting there, with $15,000 in the checking account."

Yet he is optimistic.

"We're budgeting for a $10,000 surplus. We still have some work to meet that," he says. "Some of the foundations have said there are not as many dollars to give away. We want to support you, but it's going to be at a smaller amount."

Mr. Steele, who lives with his wife and two children in Lebanon, comes to his job from 20 years as a YMCA camp director in Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Dayton. He works part time for the CCO, and also works for Chavez Properties.

`Four to eight' donors

His development expertise for the Y will come in handy when he tries to build the orchestra's first-ever endowment - something he knows is a must if it is to survive. Ticket sales peaked during Mr. Lockhart's tenure. Now, with sales amounting to only $50,000-$60,000, the orchestra must find ways to raise $340,000 annually.

"We're trying to find a group of four to eight individuals in the city that can really help to underwrite the orchestra," Mr. Steele says. "People who are enthusiastic about it, over and above sponsor dollars and other revenue, (so) you have that cushion to operate on each year."

This year, the CCO plays four of 10 subscription concerts at Northern Kentucky University - which makes it less eligible for grants from the city of Cincinnati.

City money can only be used for activities "that take place in the city limits," says Carolyn Gutjahr, City of Cincinnati senior community development analyst.

And the Ohio Arts Council - which encourages regional performances - has sliced its funding from $25,000 a few years ago to $8,800. Nevertheless, the orchestra is exploring options of giving more concerts in suburbs such as Blue Ash and Mason.

Mr. Steele's other goal is to see attendance increase 25 percent. If that's ambitious, he says the audience is already up 10 to 15 percent, mostly in single ticket sales. Even though good single ticket sales are a plus, he knows the real security of a season is in subscribers - numbers he'd like to boost.

Seeks an active board

Finally, in a city where many musical organization board members don't even go to concerts, he hopes to get the board more involved.

"If you get on this board, you're active, and you're here to raise money," he says. "If you're a committee chair, you're helping drive that committee, big time."

Most of all, he'd like more Cincinnatians to know what a gem they've got.

"I've always loved all kinds of music," says Mr. Steele, who once played trumpet in his Pittsburgh high school band. "But these guys, they knock me out."

Anyone who would like to support the CCO through sponsorship, contributions or by purchasing tickets, call 723-1182.

E-mail jgelfand@enquirer.com