“Barely one year into his tenure as president of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Jonathan Martin is deep into plans for the orchestra’s 125th anniversary in 2020,” writes Janelle Gelfand in Friday’s (9/14) Cincinnati Business Journal. “But it’s the orchestra’s survival beyond 125 that weighs on his mind…. His vision for the next decade is to grow the audience ‘by age, gender, race and socio-economic status,’ so that it reflects the city…. The board of directors is pondering the addition of shorter concerts, free concerts, more visual elements and cheaper tickets. ‘We’re in a strong financial position,’ he says…. ‘We have a moral obligation to take that strength and do more for this city.’ … New pricing after the [Music Hall] renovation resulted in higher prices for some subscribers…. At a senior staff retreat, there was ‘a very fierce conversation’ about the need to sell more tickets vs. prices that most people can afford.… The proposed $19.2 million Riverview concert venue at the Banks could net [the orchestra] $1 million…. Contrary to popular belief, the orchestra will not perform at the new concert venue at the Banks. ‘Music Hall is and will always be the home of the CSO,’ Martin said.”
Posted September 19, 2018
