"We can be our own worst enemies," Tamburri and Mallory wrote. "We continue to think that if it is made in Pittsburgh or is from Pittsburgh, it must not be of the highest quality. After all, we are a small town, a town that the Trib wants us to consider undeserving of major-league sports or world-class arts."

According to Tamburri and Mallory, the PSO has worked very hard and has critical acclaim to show for it.

The editorial had suggested that the region did not have the resources to support the orchestra in its present state, and that the orchestra should "adjust its business plan accordingly."

The PSO recently announced a shortfall of $500,000 for the 2004-05 season, after a surplus of $456,000 the previous year, and a deficit of $1.73 million in 2002-03.