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"THE MUSICIANS are bruised. The community is bruised. We're all bruised."

So says Martin Inglis, the new board chairman of the Columbus Symphony quoted in the Columbus Dispatch. The symphony suspended operations in June and has since cut two thirds of its administrative staff. Its musicians have agreed to a 25 percent pay cut, fewer concerts and reduced benefits. The orchestra is looking for a new music director and has shaken up its board.

They're not alone. Nationally, classical music financial support has experienced a grim collapse. Most organizations have been affected, even those that can weather the storm on an even keel. A full report would run volumes.

Here, a summary of the headline-making wrecks will have to do. Next week we'll look into how New Jersey groups are faring.

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra predicts a $500,000 cash flow shortage and a million dollar debt. Its staff has taken a 20 percent salary cut. It has asked for a loan from the city of Norfolk and warned that without the money, it will likely be forced to file for bankruptcy.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic, faced with a nearly $200,000 deficit, is considering canceling some upcoming events. The group has accepted the resignation of its board president and several other members and fired its executive director.

The Santa Clarita Symphony canceled its 2009 season, including a January concert with Art Garfunkel, due to declining ticket sales and donations. The group plans to concentrate on smaller events until finances improve.

Also in California, a decline in donations and a shrinking endowment forced the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra and the Pasadena Pops orchestra to cancel their November classical concert and four pops concerts. The group is in survival mode with fundraisers planned and a change in management.

The Baltimore Opera Company has filed for bankruptcy and canceled two upcoming performances. Opera Pacific, based in Orange County, Calif., has closed its operations.

Detroit's Michigan Opera Theatre canceled a production of "I Pagliacci" and terminated three staff positions to help compensate for a projected deficit of up to $800,000.

Even the Metropolitan Opera is not immune, removing a production of John Corigliano's' "The Ghosts of Versailles" from its 2009-10 season and replacing it with a less expensive revival of Verdi's La Traviata.

At least one group, the Washington National Opera, reports that "ticket sales have never been higher," even as it announced cancelation of Wagner's complete "Ring" cycle — an expensive proposition even in the best of times.

Quoted in The Washington Times, F. Paul Driscoll, editor of Opera News Magazine, predicted more bad news to come.

"We're not going to see this story develop fully until spring 2009, when companies release complete season announcements," he said.