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 The internationally renowned arts consultant, Michael Kaiser, has issued a report on the Philadelphia Orchestra. Although we have signed a confidentiality agreement regarding his report, Peter Dobrin of the Philadelphia Inquirer has written about its contents. Holly Blake, Philadelphia Orchestra Contrabassonist and member of the Orchestra Negotiating Committee, discusses Mr. Dobrin's article.  The Philadelphia Orchestra has historically enjoyed its elite reputation among the top five US orchestras. Now, according to a recent June 24, 2016 article by Norman Lebrecht in his Slipped Disc blog titled ‘The New Big Five”, the Philadelphia Orchestra has slid to the 7th slot, as determined by current budget rankings, among their peer orchestras. With their current contract set to expire on September 11, 2016, the musicians are concerned about how this will impact their ability to attract and retain the most talented musicians. A report by Michael Kaiser on the potential for the Philadelphia Orchestra Association to achieve a financial turnaround has recently been completed. This report by the highly respected arts consultant and author was requested by the Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians in a compromise one year contract settlement, according to a July 4, 2016 philly.com article by music critic Peter Dobrin, “in order to examine why, four years after exiting bankruptcy, the association still had not generated enough earned and contributed revenue to eliminate more of the concessions musicians gave in the Chapter 11 case.” Dobrin’s article references Kaiser's positive and common sense findings which the musicians feel could potentially support their case for greater earned and contributed revenue of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and ultimately a contract and a ranking more in line with their peer orchestras. According to Mr Dobrin, Mr. Kaiser’s report includes recommendations of improving “inadequate marketing and education programs that, if grown, would lure more donations and listeners in both the short and long terms.” In addition, Mr. Dobrin writes that the report includes inspiring and diversifying the board, increasing the orchestra’s relevance in the city, cultivating national and international donors and “bringing on donors at differing wealth levels…including people who better represent the city’s industry, demographics, and artistic and intellectual sectors,” as well as organizing special projects which would attract younger patrons. “Donors are motivated by excitement, not crisis,” says Kaiser, according to Dobrin. Dobrin also includes the following quote from Michael Kaiser. “I am at heart deeply optimistic about the future of this orchestra. It is one of the great performing ensembles in the world. It has an important place in Philadelphia but even also in other countries, and there is a true opportunity for this organization to be not just stable but also thriving. I am hopeful that if some version of this plan is implemented that this is an organization that will be able to perform at the very top of its game for years to come.” Below are the links to the cited articles by Peter Dobrin “Report: Orchestra must grow audience, donor base, communication skills” and Norman Lebrecht “The New Big Five” Suggested Reading- Michael M. Kaiser’s “The Art of the Turnaround: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations” Be sure to save the date -- on October 4, 2016, we will be presenting our second annual Audience Appreciation Concerts -- free music throughout the community! As we end our season with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, we look forward to the successful conclusion of our contract negotiations, and a wonderful season starting in September. We look forward to seeing you!  The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (www.spac.org)  Philadelphia's landmark treasure since 1857 has been undergoing numerous renovations inside, and now outside this summer. Read Peter Dobrin's article here!
Congratulations to Elizabeth Sobol, newly named President at SPAC! More information here.
 Stay tuned for more information regarding venues and ensembles!
 Philadelphia Orchestra Cellist Gloria dePasquale, fourth from left in the front row, shares her thoughts about NYO2, the Philadelphia Orchestra's recent major educational initiative. Other Philadelphia Orchestra cellists pictured are Ohad Bar-David, Hai-Ye Ni, and Yumi Kendall. Q. In what ways did you participate in the NYO2 program? NYO2 has been widely covered by the press including articles in the New York Times, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Michael Kaiser, formerly president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., was commissioned to write a report on the Philadelphia Orchestra as a result of our contract negotiations last year. Although we are bound by a confidentiality agreement and therefore will make no comments at this time, his activities have been widely reported in the press, particularly in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Peter Dobrin. We hope to have more to say in future newsletters. You can read the Inquirer article here. As we end our annual Vail, Colorado residency with Mahler’s glorious Second Symphony, we look forward to a whirlwind finish to our busy summer season. First comes a week at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, followed by twelve concerts in three weeks at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. You can see a list of our Saratoga concerts here. We hope to see you at some of these events, and, following our contract negotiations, during our coming fall concert season.  The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, where we perform our concerts in Vail.  Here are a few images of the natural beauty that surrounded and inspired our musical performances during our Vail residency. Join us next year for gorgeous scenery and fantastic music making! |
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