An Unfinished Story, Part 2

Part 2 of 6 #

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Time passed. #

The cost of the concerts grew. #

This was, in part, due to the professionalization of management. There were larger staffs with specialists in fundraising, marketing and administration. #

The musicians cost more too. They were increasingly of a new, educated class. Many had two and even three degrees. #

The season grew to encompass a much larger part of the year. The artistic level of the musicians rose dramatically. The musicians, quite rightly, expected a living wage for the commitment of time and the expectation of high quality placed upon them. #

The orchestras tried to increase their productivity. #

The conductors learned how to work efficiently. The conductors who thrived most were masters of psychology and organizational behavior in addition to being outstanding musicians. #

To realize what models of efficiency the orchestras were at the time is to suddenly grasp the situation. There was nothing wasted. There was nothing extraneous. #

Rehearsals were professional, intense and productive. To think that such artistic levels could have been achieved in fewer rehearsals is to misunderstand everything. Actually, it was a marvel that such things WERE accomplished in such a short time. #

This is why there was no way for the organizations to artistically cut their way to a balanced budget. #

Those that chose that approach saw their product deteriorate and audiences dwindle. #

Expenses rose on a gentle, upward slope, and revenues also rose, although at a lower rate. This meant there was a growing gap between revenues and expenditures that continued to widen each year. There was intense focus on solving the structural deficits inherent in the business model. #

Managements looked for ways to increase revenues and to strengthen community relationships. They created education and outreach programs which both gave musicians additional work and which raised money too. #

As the general economy grew, more businesses took on the role of philanthropist. Boards of the concert-giving organizations grew. #

Businesses, foundations and philanthropists contributed to endowments created to ensure long-term financial stability for the organizations. Soon the organizations began to count on the income generated from those endowment funds for their budgets to balance. #

Government tried to help fill the gap through national, state, and, in some cases, local grants. #

More time passed. The financial gap continued to widen. #

New technologies emerged. #