“The Oregon Symphony reached new highs in the 2014-15 season, once again posting record numbers for ticket sales, first-time ticket buyers, new donors and overall contributions and revenue,” writes Jamie Hale in Thursday’s (7/30) Oregonian (Portland). “It all points to an orchestra that is still thriving in Portland. The Symphony sold 160,255 concert tickets over the course of the season, a 4 percent increase over last year and a total 18 percent increase over the last five years. A full 18 percent of those purchases came from patrons attending for the first time…. 19 of the 81 concerts [sold] out…. It’s a winning formula that reflects well upon first-year Symphony president Scott Showalter, [who doubled] prices to attend the Symphony’s annual gala, which raised $700,000 in April [and] led to record-setting contributions…. Nearly 4,800 people donated a total $3,584,000 to the Oregon Symphony last season—more than 2,300 of them donating for the first time…. All the records add up to a Symphony surplus for the sixth consecutive year…. ‘In the end, it is the music and its powerful effect on people of all ages and walks of life that drive all that we do,’ Showalter said…. ‘We work to bring joy to our community through music.’ ” The Oregon Symphony’s music director is Carlos Kalmar, in his twelfth season with the orchestra.
Posted July 31, 2015
Pictured: Carlos Kalmar conducts the Oregon Symphony. Photo by Leah Nash
