Future uncertain for Sisters jazz festival

Declining local sponsorship and a drop in revenue have put the future of the High Mountains Jazz at Sisters festival in limbo.

Following a meeting of the festival board of directors this week, board chairman Jim Fisher reported that, while the 10th annual festival held in mid-September was an outstanding artistic success, financially the event only broke even.

"With another year without showing a profit and facing a number of major challenges in the future, the board is taking a long, hard look at the wisdom of continuing the festival without a major sponsor or significant underwriting," Fisher said.

"Our final decision will be made on November 20 in time for us to notify bands that we have contracted for next year and those planning to attend next year's festival."

Fisher outlined five major areas of concern that the board is facing: decline in revenues, decline in local support, increase in costs, problems with facilities, and the resignation of festival director Ray Buselli.

"Badge sales for the past two years have declined $13,000 -- $7,000 for last year and $6,000 this year," he said. "These were the only two years in which we experienced a decline in sales.

"We attribute this decline to the lack of motel rooms and the fact that most of our patrons are over 60 and don't like driving long distances at night," Fisher said. "More important was the fact that sponsor support from the Sisters area was down $8,000 from 1993, our last profit-making year."

He also explained that the festival has been unsuccessful in finding a major "name" sponsor and in seeking financial grants.

"Local sponsor support from the Sisters area has declined $8,000 since 1993, our best profit-making year," Fisher said.

"The most common response we receive from former Sisters area sponsors is the statement that they are using their discretionary dollars to support the Sisters School District through the Sisters School Foundation, and SOAR (Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation), both tax-supported activities," Fisher said. "Certainly, we don't oppose schools and youth programs, but the reality is that is where the discretionary dollars are going."

Fisher also cited competition from other Sisters area events in the fall that has impacted attendance from Central Oregon as well as sponsor support.

"A third challenge is overcoming the increase in operational costs in the face of declining revenues," Fisher said.

A final challenge is the loss of leadership that the festival would face for the coming year, Fisher added.

"After 11 years of association with the festival, Festival Director Ray Buselli is stepping down," he said.

Fisher said that the board will make their final decision at the November 20 meeting.

Comments may be made in writing to the High Mountains Jazz at Sisters board of directors at P.O. Box 248, Sisters, OR 97759, or by phoning Jim Fisher at 549-5441, Ray Buselli at 617-9506, or Tom Chace at 549-1103.