The next US orchestra in trouble is …
mainFort Worth Symphony.
As of last week, the musicians are out of contract and the admin is demanding job cuts.
There has been no VP of Development for nine months – meaning, no serious money coming in.
The musicians have opened a Facebook page, always a sign of trouble ahead.
Its most recent entry has been heavily censored.
Not sure what you mean by that last remark. The top posts I read — and I read quite a few — seemed perfectly complete, including links.
They’ve also had the facebook page you linked to since 2010…
I would be very interested in news of the most successful US orchestras doing new, interesting and innovative things.
How is the Chicago Symphony’s work in Chicago Public Schools going?
What is the story behind the Boston Symphony’s new simulcasts to public squares?
Etc.
Thank you!
There was an interesting article on the MET Orchestra Musicians’ site earlier this year along those lines… http://bit.ly/1J2RyYf
Yes it would be more helpful to write orchestras that are not in trouble and find out why.
Take Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota: Sprited leadership, imaginative programming, creative artistic partnerships, community outreach and a new hall led to markedly increased ticket sales, many concerts being sold out, sometimes even necessitating additional concerts.
Many American orchestras, for example the Philadelphia Orchestra, have these characteristics yet still have financial problems. Our unique and isolated system of funding the arts by private donations is the true source of the problems.
Cincinnati has been a model of what works.Between the Innovative programming, successful fundraising and GROWING audiences, it’s the perfect example of a smaller market rising not only to sustain a world-class orchestra, but making that orchestra thrive. The recently concluded LUMENOCITY performances, which drew over 30,000 over five nights and a live local television audience, is a great example of the kind of innovation that’s made Cincinnati so successful.
How about less american endless wars and war monger ing, and funding the arts like other big boy countries?