The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra says its just-completed subscription season marks the second year in a row for total earned revenue growth.
During the 2015-16 season, subscription revenue grew four percent over the previous year, and subscriber retention rates were the highest in six seasons.
The past year was Ward Stare's inaugural season as music director, and RPO President & CEO Ralph Craviso says the numbers achieved are a testament to Stare's artistic leadership.
RPO spokesperson Katie Sejba says these revenue numbers buck the industry trend.
“In a lot of orchestras and performing arts organizations across the country, subscriptions are declining, so the fact that here in Rochester at the RPO, we’re growing subscriptions which really is our most sustainable base of revenue, it’s really impressive that we’re growing that subscriber base.”
Single ticket sales for the RPO also exceed the orchestra's goal.
Earlier this year, Craviso said that the RPO would have a $1.4 million deficit if not for some one-time events. And in his statement this week, Craviso noted that ticket sales cover only 40 percent of overall operating costs so the orchestra still needs support from the community.
