In Thursday’s (12/10) Cincinnati Enquirer (Ohio), Janelle Gelfand writes that the Cincinnati World Piano Competition “announced on Thursday that instead of next summer’s competition, it will present a 60th anniversary concert featuring at least one medalist as soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra…. Said the competition’s board chair Jack Rouse, the piano competition is undergoing ‘a top to bottom evaluation’ of its operations and is temporarily putting on hold all activities, even outreach programs such as ‘Hammers, Strings & Keys.’ The reason, Rouse said, is to ‘have time to seriously consider the most appropriate sustainable artistic and economic model going forward.’ … Rouse cited the need to generate additional earned revenue, for example in ticket sales, to balance contributions. The organization does not have its own endowment. But it does benefit from partnerships formed in 2013 with the Cincinnati Symphony, which provides its orchestra for the finals, as well as the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music … which hosts the event…. Last year, the competition completed its season with increased attendance and a sold-out audience for the finals [under] artistic director Awadagin Pratt.” Rouse said, “There might be potential for shared services among the partner organizations.”
Posted December 14, 2015
