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RPO Board Optimistic, Despite Last Year's Losses

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra held their annual meeting Thursday night where they reflected on the fiscal year and looked toward the future.

The RPO is still not breaking even, despite recent budget cuts and their employee's voluntary salary freeze. According to fiscal reports released at the meeting, revenues were up thanks to their first trip to Carnegie Hall in 30 years, but ticket sales were down. They measured an operational deficit of over $250,000. They are able to operate at a loss, temporarily, thanks to endowments.

Despite this, board members are optimistic. President and CEO Charlie Owens says between their trip to Carnegie Hall and the appointment of Ward Stare as their music director, they have had a terrific year.

"The fact is, you know, the RPO presented over 130 concerts last year to 168,000 people. And music has the ability to transform lives and wherever we go in Monroe County and throughout the state of New York, you know, the RPO has the power night after night, concert after concert to bring people the transformational gift of music."

Owens says it doesn't look like it just yet, but things are turning around thanks to initiatives through the move forward plan implemented last year.

Board Chair Dawn Lipson says she doesn't want to trivialize their deficit, but she thinks they're moving in the right direction.

"We are really committed, as part of the moving forward plan, to make this a great experience from the minute your foot hits the theater. And to that end, we are investing a lot in patron services, in training, in additional personnel, because ultimately that's what we deliver. We deliver the whole experience."

Lipson says they're making other changes like revamping their online ticket purchasing, which she says is difficult to navigate. She also says Ward Stare, their new Musical Director, will unveil even more innovative changes on February 10th with the announcement of the 2015-2016 season.

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.
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