The foundation of Utah's arts community is trembling as the Utah Symphony and other arts groups, like their peers nationally, struggle through a recession.

A million-dollar gift from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation will keep the state's flagship arts organization playing awhile longer, but more life support is needed to ensure the orchestra's survival.

For Utahns, there is more at stake than the possible loss of a music ensemble.

Here's what musical and community leader have to say about the symphony:

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker » Visitors to the city are amazed by the quantity and quality of performing arts here, the capital city's mayor says. "It happens because of a heritage. The Utah Symphony helps define Salt Lake City as a leader among cities in the country for performing arts. To me, that's integral to being among great American cities. Continuing support for the Utah Symphony is an important part of who we are as a community."

Bob Farrington, economic-development director for Salt Lake City » "[The Utah Symphony] has a great deal to do with how we think about ourselves as a city and how we talk about our city to others that we want to have visit here, teach here and move their businesses here," says Farrington, the former executive director of the Chamber of Commerce's Downtown Alliance. "It's part of the whole package of offerings that we have as a city -- a critical mass of cultural facilities and entertainment that is something you don't typically find in a market of our size. That gives us advantages as we're growing our community and competing with other regions."

Terence Kern, conductor of Ballet West's Utah Chamber Orchestra » "Utah's whole arts community is absolutely dependent upon the Utah Symphony," he says, because the orchestra provides a strong foundation of full-time pit musicians that other groups, including Ballet West, rely upon. Ballet West's orchestra includes spouses of USO members, and many players trained by members of the USO. Also, symphony members sub in the orchestra during "The Nutcracker's" long December run. "It's a very big influence, and we rely on that for that professionalism that comes into our orchestra."

Robert Walzel, director of the University of Utah's School of Music » "We have about 20 members of the Utah Symphony who teach on our adjunct faculty. Without having these people in town, our students would suffer -- not only the performance majors, but music-education students. [Utah Symphony musicians] are the primary professors for scores of teachers for children in the public schools of Utah."

Neil Hendriksen, president of Utah Music Teachers Association, professional pit orchestra musician » "It would be an utter tragedy if the symphony went under," said Hendriksen, who took private lessons from Utah Symphony members as a fledgling musician. "I think they do more for arts education in our state than any other organization." Orchestra musicians who teach on faculties and in private studios are an invaluable educational resource, as is the musical exposure that comes from the orchestra's school performances around the state.

Mac Christensen, businessman and president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square » Christensen recalled the long association between the Utah Symphony and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which furnished free performance space in the Salt Lake Tabernacle before 1979. "We have to have them here," Christensen said. "They are a magnificent group and so important to the entire community. It's been a true blessing for the Orchestra at Temple Square to have them to look up to, and to be able to watch and hear and try to excel the way they do."