Minnesota Orchestra Update
The Minnesota Orchestral Association’s recent annual meeting noted the institutional milestones of the orchestra’s 2010–11 season, a year in which the orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall and cities around Minnesota, launched a new recording cycle, finalized renovation plans for an expanded Orchestra Hall and co-hosted the national conference of the League of American Orchestras. The orchestra reported a $2.9 million deficit for fiscal 2011 and unveiled a new strategic plan that is designed to lead the organization to sustainability and support great artistry and community outreach.
Approximately 70,000 people attended free events over the course of the year, from Target Free Family performances to outdoor Symphony for the Cities concerts.
The economy has impacted our ability to generate the revenue necessary to keep up with rising fixed costs,” said outgoing chairman Richard Davis. “Like most in our industry, we’ve been skillful in managing an out-of-alignment financial structure—but the persistent economic downturn has intensified this fiscal challenge. We know that this imbalance will dramatically escalate in the years ahead unless we reset our model, and this is the work that we must now do.”
Jon R. Campbell, who serves as an executive vice president of Wells Fargo, was elected board chair by the orchestra’s board of directors, succeeding Richard K. Davis, who completed a two-year term. Since joining the Minnesota Orchestra board in 2001, Campbell has served on its executive, audit, and board development and governance committees and has chaired the organization’s finance committee for the past four years. Across the Twin Cities, he has served on boards for the University of Minnesota Foundation and Carlson School of Management and chaired the boards of Fairview Health Services and the Greater Twin Cities United Way.
Fund-raising for the orchestra’s comprehensive Building for the Future campaign achieved approximately $93 million toward an expanded goal of $110 million. The campaign encompasses artistic initiatives, endowment support, and the renovation of Orchestra Hall. “Our community has contributed very generously to this campaign and specifically to the capital project, differentiating it from our short-term issues and supporting our broad vision for the orchestra’s next 30 years,” Richard Davis said. Construction on the Orchestra Hall renovation will begin in June with the venue scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2013.
The Orchestra will perform most of its 2012–13 season at the Auditorium of the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Highlights of the orchestra’s 108th concert season included music director Osmo Vänskä leading midwinter Mozart concerts that culminated with performances of The Magic Flute; world premieres of concertos by composers Einojuhani Rautavaara and James MacMillan; the release of the first CD in a new cycle of Beethoven piano concertos with pianist Yevgeny Sudbin; a fifth season of popular Target Free Family Concerts, attended by more than 20,000 people; and a Sommerfest finale concert featuring Strauss’ beloved comic opera Der Rosenkavalier, led by Sommerfest artistic director Andrew Litton.
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