“Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians have contributed $10,000 to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s endowment fund for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra,” writes Shirley McMarlin in Friday’s (7/14) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “The fund aims to protect the company’s current level of orchestra accompaniment and build on its goal of sustainable, long-term funding for annual performances with live music… Said Micah Howard, PSO bassist and Orchestra Committee chairman, … ‘We hope that our donation will encourage other generous individuals in our city to give in order to bring the orchestra back to all Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performances.’ Pittsburgh Ballet has set a $4 million goal for the orchestra endowment, as part of its $21.2 million capital campaign, and is nearing the 86 percent mark of its total campaign goal. Since 2006, when finances forced the company to scale back live music, the ballet has committed to performing with the full PBT Orchestra for two out of five main-stage productions and often features a live musical ensemble for a third.… This season, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will feature the 50-member orchestra for two productions and a total of 12 performances—up from nine performances during the 2016-2017 season.”
Posted July 17, 2017
