The Perilous Life of Symphony Orchestras

Description

This book analyzes the economic challenges facing symphony orchestras and contrasts the experience of orchestras in the United States (where there is little direct government support) and abroad (where governments typically provide large direct subsidies). Robert J. Flanagan explains the tension between artistic excellence and financial jeopardy that confronts most symphony orchestras. He analyzes three complementary strategies for addressing orchestras’ economic challenges—raising performance revenues, slowing the growth of performance expenses, and increasing nonperformance income—and demonstrates that none of the three strategies alone is likely to provide economic security for orchestras. Contents Acknowledgments 1. Surpluses, Deficits, And Symphony Orchestras 2. Why Are Surpluses So Difficult To Maintain? 3. Cost Disease Or Business Cycles? 4. Snapshots Of Symphony Orchestra Finances 5. The Search For Symphony Audiences 6. Artistic And Nonartistic Costs 7. Government Support Of Orchestras 8. Private Support Of Orchestras 9. Symphony Orchestra Endowments And Governance 10. How Do Other Countries Support Their Orchestras? 11. The Economic Future Of Symphony Orchestras Appendixes Notes References Index