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RE: Renewing orchestral audiences - Hints?

Author: d dow
Date: 2002-09-12 14:21

Dear Brenda : It seems so unfortuante though that pops concerts are what really bring the revenues in to keep alot of classical orchestras going. the Boston Pops I am sure is what keeps the boston Symphony going, and I would like say that pops concerts are a regular feature of every serious orchestra in the world except for places in Europe where the Berlin Philharmonic is so heavily funded they could play anything and because of their eminence would sell out anyway!

I really feel that it is in USA and Canada where problems are at the breaking point. Apparently the Montreal Symphony has a huge debt load, and even the Chicago Symphony is having funding problems. Lets face it, Orchestras are costly. You are paying 100 or so people and then have halls and concert programs and artists fees --and on top of that Conductor fees.

Much of the ways orchestras and arts groups have been run has to change. Groups must become far more community freindly and be involved in more than just music. The interaction between and audience and an ensemble wotrks both ways. Education concerts usually are done in the schools and what the statistics are on this I am not sure. Introducing music at a young age of this genre is important, but the fact sxchools cut so much music education in recent years we are going to have trouble even finding muscicians...

The success of arts organizations like Symphonic orchestras comes down to dollars and cents. If the culture no longer values them they certainly are going the way of the dinosaur. Pops concerts are effective in that they can also introduce light classics to a wider audiences, and maybe we will see more of a benefit of this in later years.

Orchestras and funding are so tough that many boards have to "toy" with the concept of what an orchestrs " is" , becuasue of the total lack of funding and support. This support is not just financial, but also in terms of whether or not communities really care. Most major groups rely on fundraing to the point that they burn out these people 'fundraising volunteers'...it's not really healthy to have this happen.

The value of Orchestra in our society is evolving when you consider how much sports and even the internet drain from this potentioal audience. Yet society is willing to pay alot for the price of a ball game or lockey even but not for an orchestral concert!

I will also say the formula of gathering support for orchestras through pops concerts is quite old and yet I will say orchestra's are not done with it. However trying to bring them in to a Shostakovich concert is another story!

Sincerely
D Dow

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