In Tuesday’s (9/13) Business Review (Albany, New York), Pam Allen reports, “The Albany Symphony Orchestra has tuned into a formula that increased subscribers for its 2011-12 concert season by 28 percent, defying national numbers that reflect a steady drop in attendance at classical performances over the last 30 years. The symphony in upstate New York’s capital city increased its new subscribers by 329, for a total of 1,155 subscribers. The increase reverses seven consecutive years of declining subscriptions for the Albany Symphony. ‘There is certainly more work ahead, but these are the types of results we need to achieve,’ says Brian Ritter, the symphony’s executive director. … Ritter cites aggressive marketing, a first-time telemarketing campaign and personalized efforts by board members and other supporters for the recent rise in subscriptions. The campaign, which started in February, got a boost when the symphony announced the return of Joshua Bell. The world renowned violinist will perform with the Albany Symphony on Dec. 17 at The Palace in downtown Albany. … Full concert subscribers for the upcoming season were 546, up 29 percent from last year; there were 329 new subscribers, up substantially from a seven-year average of 107.”
Posted September 14, 2011
