The Eastman School of Music is receiving a substantial donation which it will use to establish a new center for applied research. The former board chair for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Paul Judy, has made a one million dollar commitment to establish a center at Eastman which will be named after him.
Part of its function will be to stimulate the development of innovative ensemble models that can be successful in the changing world of classical music.
Dean of the Eastman School, Doug Lowry, says the high cost of running a large orchestra has helped lead to the development of smaller ensembles.
“There will always be a very robust demand for orchestra music, but I think most people in the business would agree that the business model is, if not flawed, than certainly in need of some correction.”
Lowry says the new center will serve as an incubator for these new formats and help determine how they can become sustainable business models.