Elgin Symphony in the black despite tough economy
Arts organizations can be vulnerable during tough economic times, but the Elgin Symphony Orchestra has just reported good financial news for not only its 2007-08 season but this season as well, which has already featured a pair of sold-out performances.
Like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which two months ago announced a modest surplus for the 2007-08 season, the ESO is on the plus side of the balance sheet.
"We finished the 2007-2008 season with a surplus of over $3,100 and have increased the number of people attending concerts through our subscription campaign, providing a strong foundation to address the challenges presented by the state of the current economy," said ESO chief executive officer Dale Lonis. "Our staff has worked tirelessly to achieve these goals, and I am thrilled to be a part of this great team."
The orchestra has reported an increase of 3.5 percent in revenue and a 9 percent increase in the number of subscribers. The two sold-out performances during the first half of this season were the September gala concert featuring actor Leonard Nimoy and a Pops series performance of the music of John Williams in mid-November.
Nationally, the Minnesota Orchestra ended its 2007-08 season with a $15,000 operating surplus on a budget of $31 million. But in California, the Santa Clarita Symphony this week announced that due to slow ticket sales and a decline in donations, it is canceling its 2009 season. The Orchestras of Pasadena, the umbrella organization overseeing the Pasadena Symphony and the Pasadena Pops, also announced concert cancellations and executive layoffs. Orchestras in Columbus, Ohio, and Kansas City, Mo., are also in financial trouble, with concerts canceled and their futures uncertain.
The Elgin Symphony, under the artistic leadership of music director Robert Hanson and with an annual budget of more than $3 million, is among the nation's leading regional orchestras. Its Classic Series concerts are broadcast the fourth Friday of each month over WFMT 98.7-FM, and in May, the ESO released its first commercial recording, an album (in collaboration with the St. Charles Singers) featuring works of Aaron Copland, part of the Naxos International label's American Classics Series.
The next Classic Series concerts are Jan. 9-11 at Hemmens Theatre, with guest conductor Andrew Grams joined by soloist Matt Haimovitz performing Samuel Barber's Cello Concerto. The program will also feature Brahms' Symphony No. 2. Times are 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Jan. 9, 8 p.m. Jan. 10 and 3:30 p.m. Jan. 11.
For ticket information, call (847) 888-0404, or visit elginsymphony.org.
"Welcome Yule!" reminder
Six performances remain for the Chicago Symphony Chorus' "Welcome Yule!" celebration at Symphony Center. Conducted by Duain Wolfe, with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the performances are 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The concert of holiday music includes an audience singalong, and Santa Claus will make his annual visit to Orchestra Hall.
Tickets for "Welcome Yule!" are $20 to $98. Call the Symphony Center box office at (312) 294-3000 or go to cso.org.