There's nothing we know of that says the North Carolina Symphony has to have Raleigh as its unofficial home base. But what a loss it would be to the Capital City region if the Symphony ever pulled up stakes.

So it comes as welcome news that the city has approved a 12-year extension of the lease enabling the Symphony to perform regularly at the Meymandi Concert Hall. It's not as if other Tar Heel cities couldn't be fine Symphony hosts -- indeed, one can imagine Charlotte, just for example, in a dither of civic pride over luring the musicians and finding a magnificent performing space for them. But the Symphony and Raleigh go way back. Fortunately for us.

For years, of course, the Symphony was a fixture at Memorial Auditorium. When the Meymandi facility next door opened in 2001, the state-sponsored players finally could take advantage of a space designed for them. It's been a fine match -- a good base of operations amid their travels around the state. The deal with Raleigh now lasts through 2030. Triangle music lovers, enjoy your symphonic home team.

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