“The New York Philharmonic is developing a ‘borough to borough’ strategy for the two-year period when it is displaced from its home at David Geffen Hall, said Matthew VanBesien in a lecture Friday at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business,” writes Brian Wise on Friday (10/9) at New York classical radio station WQXR. VanBesien is the Philharmonic’s executive director. “The Philharmonic, he said, is identifying ‘two or three key venues’ at which it will develop subscription series and build a ‘consistent presence’ while Geffen Hall undergoes major renovations starting in 2019.” In each of the city’s five boroughs, the orchestra “will hold week-long residencies that include concerts and education projects. ‘It’s an opportunity to be out in the city in a much more profound way than we’re able to do normally,’ VanBesien said…. VanBesien described the relocation period as a ‘circuit-breaker’—a way to turn an inconvenience into an audience-building strategy.… VanBesien also spoke at length about the need for orchestras to develop social agendas through outreach and community-based activities. He also briefly cited the changing philanthropic climate for the Philharmonic, noting that ‘the toughest fundraising landscape right now is in the corporate sector.’ ”
Posted October 13, 2015
