From entertainment to education, the Charlotte Symphony generates more than $15 million in economic impact.

But now, the economy is forcing it to either retune or take a bow.

“So is there an actual threat the symphony could go away?” Eyewitness News asked Chris McLeod with the Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust

“Yes,” replied McLeod, who oversees the symphony's endowments.

Corporations provided the bulk of the symphony's funding before the recession. Since then, those donations dwindled, forcing officials to come up with a new funding plan.

“I think what the Charlotte Symphony needs right now is two or three large gifts -- $5 (million) to $10 million,” McLeod said.

McLeod said it's possible and pointed to Nashville, a city comparable in size. There, 46 individuals and 47 businesses donated $10,000 or more to its orchestra last year. Twelve individuals gave $50,000 to $100,000, and 17 businesses gave $25,000 or more.

In Charlotte, donations are half that. Here, 23 individuals gave $10,000 or more. A dozen donated $50,000 to $100,000, and less than 12 businesses donated.

“We need success in the coming weeks and months if we're going to have an orchestra here when the DNC comes in September,” said Jonathan Martin, the symphony's executive director.

Martin is confident the symphony can be saved. He said the orchestra is stronger than ever since Christopher Warren-Green, known for orchestrating the royal wedding, came on stage.

“We have truly a world-class music director and his wife, teacher Rosemary, right in Charlotte. They live right down the street,” Martin said.

And it's on those same streets that Martin and McLeod hope to find donors to keep the symphony around not just for the DNC, but for decades to come.

Right now, the symphony needs to fill a $2 million funding gap created by the economic downturn. The long-term funding plan calls for $40 million in the next 10 years.

More information: Charlotte Symphony

Previous Stories: March 15, 2011: Charlotte Symphony Music Director To Conduct At Royal Wedding December 23, 2009: Charlotte Symphony Hits Fundraising Goal December 8, 2009: Wells Fargo Gives $6M In Grant Money August 23, 2005: Council Overrides Mayor's Veto Of Arts Funding