Friday (9/28) on National Public Radio, Melissa Block reports, “Symphony orchestras have seen a lot of labor disputes recently due to financial troubles. … Then there’s the Dayton Philharmonic. As Emily McCord of member station WYSO reports, it seems to have solved its budget woes by merging with the city’s opera and ballet.” “A few years ago,” says McCord, “the orchestra’s outlook wasn’t so rosy. In 2010, the Philharmonic was operating under a budget shortfall of over $100,000. And [Music Director Neil] Gittleman says, the Dayton Opera and the Dayton Ballet also faced uncertain futures. Two years later, the three organizations are one. The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, as it’s now called, has one board and three artistic directors, which they say will help maintain the distinct identity of each art form. … Paul Helfrich, the president of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, says other questions remain—like how do you raise money for one organization that presents dance, music and opera? And how many people will lose their jobs in the merger? … It’s all uncharted territory for Dayton. But Jesse Rosen, with the League of American Orchestras, says many arts organizations across the country are trying to find new ways of doing business. ‘To me it looks like a period of great, great transition. … We see an unprecedented amount of experimentation.’ ”
Posted October 2, 2012
