In Sunday’s (9/12) St. Petersburg Times (Florida), John Fleming writes, “Tales of financial woe come with the territory in the symphony orchestra world, but the news over the summer seemed more dire than usual. The recession has taken a toll on ticket sales, donations and endowment income for orchestras nationwide. … So, amid the wreckage, how is the Florida Orchestra doing? Not surprisingly, it has financial problems of its own. ‘We had a significant deficit,’ Michael Pastreich, president and CEO of the orchestra, said in a recent interview. Financial results from fiscal year 2009-10, which ended June 30, are still being audited, but Pastreich estimated the deficit could be as much as $750,000. He said final figures would be available in October. … The orchestra CEO pointed to several bright spots—single ticket revenue was up 44 percent over the previous year; individual giving increased 3 percent—but said the orchestra couldn’t overcome steep declines in government and corporate support. … Pastreich promised that the orchestra would unveil some new strategies for survival in October. … The season opens Oct. 8, with Thomas Wilkins returning to conduct The Pines of Rome.”
Posted September 14, 2010
