Dayton Philharmonic Completes 2010-2011 Season with Balanced Budget and Gains in Revenue, Attendance & Fundraising

Season Concert Highlights Include Bernstein's MASS, Chopin Celebration and a New Rockin' Orchestra Music Series

DAYTON, Ohio, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Here in the city that originated the airplane, the business machine and many other important advances, innovation is part of the fabric of the local culture. When the economy, both locally and nationally, lurched downward in 2009, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO), its Music Director, President, trustees and staff put on their thinking caps and initiated a range of core innovations in the organization's business model to respond to challenging new times.

A Business Model Review Group was initiated to examine every part of the orchestra's business. Series were created, eliminated or recast in order to shape the product lineup for more relevance to the market and for better sales. Flexible subscription packages were refined and expanded. Staffing and compensation cuts were implemented and a new musician package was negotiated with an eye toward savings. A sustainability campaign was launched and a new Philharmonic Gala (set for October 1, 2011) was conceived.

"When the paradigm shifts so drastically, urgency and creativity become paramount. We have made many significant course corrections for a three-year period, which includes the last two seasons and the upcoming season. But more will have to be done in 2012-2013 in order to put the DPO on a long-term path of sustainability," cautions DPO President Paul Helfrich. "There are many challenges still before us, of which the recently announced funding reduction by Culture Works is just the latest manifestation. We will have to continue to reshape our business in many ways. Having said that, I am very proud of Neal, our musicians, our board and staff and, of course, our extended family of ticket buyers and donors for the way they've shown real grit and determination through this difficult period."