RPO HALFWAY TO $50 MILLION RPO 100& CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN GOAL  

ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announces the RPO 100& Centennial Campaign, a comprehensive, $50 million effort set to propel the 100-year-old orchestra into its second century.

In making the announcement at RPO Centennial Gala, RPO Chair of the Board Ross Lanzafame broke a two-year silence surrounding the campaign to a capacity 600 patrons, donors, and guests attending the event at May 18 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Between gifts received during the campaign’s initial two-year “silent phase” and $400,000 raised at the gala, more than $25 million has been pledged for the RPO 100& Centennial Campaign to date. The campaign is set to conclude in 2027.

“100& is the symbolic embodiment of the RPO’s vision for the future,” Lanzafame explained. “As we commission and perform new music, grow the number of locations we perform in throughout the community, and partner with new organizations, we pledge to continue our rich heritage of world-class musical performance.”

RPO President and Chief Executive Officer Curt Long added that while the RPO 100& Centennial Campaign is a critical, forward-looking initiative, the orchestra also understands its duties as a steward of classical music.

In other words, Brahms, Bach, and Beethoven aren’t going anywhere, but they’re going to have some new company.

“Part of why the RPO exists is to introduce the classics to new generations,” Long said, “But it’s also important that we present more voices of today with new things to say.”

Featuring guest speakers Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney, this year’s gala was one for the record books, according to Director of Development, Annual Giving & Special Events Amy Gallaher.

“It literally blew everything out of the water,” Gallaher noted: “More people, bigger space, more money raised.”

The event included a paddle call orchestrated by gala emcee Scott Spezzano (The Buzz 9

8.9 Radio) and RPO Vice President of Education Barbara Brown to benefit the orchestra’s education, community engagement, and Care and Wellness programs, such as those with Golisano Autism Center, Mary Cariola Center, and St. Ann’s Community.

John Harris of the Glover Crask Charitable Trust raised the gala’s fundraising ante by matching all pledges between $100 and $2,500 – up to a total of $25,000. All-tolled, the paddle call accrued $157,000, which, when combined with sponsorships and ticket sales, brought this year’s gala gross to a record $400,000, pushing the RPO 100& Centennial Campaign coffers past $25 million enroute to its $50 million goal.

Gala guests were also treated to a concert featuring RPO Music Director Andreas Delfs, RPO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, and RPO Assistant Conductor Jherrard Hardeman.

Delfs said the orchestra’s recent artistic, critical, and commercial triumphs during the Centennial Season have positioned the 100& campaign for success.

“I promised a blockbuster season and an orchestra that fires on all cylinders, and we delivered. That’s why everybody is talking about the RPO,” Delfs said. The landmark Rite of Spring co-production with Rochester’s Garth Fagan Dance and the record-breaking community-arts collaboration RPO Eclipse Spectacular are among ‘23/’24 events that garnered considerable national press.

“The music industry has realized that good things are happening in Rochester now, which has restored the respect and interest that this wonderful orchestra deserves,” Delfs continued.

Maestro Delfs conducts the RPO Philharmonics Centennial Season Finale, Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (“Ode to Joy”), May 30 and June 1. Delfs opens the RPO’s 101st season with Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 Sept. 21-22. Both take place in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Ticket info: 585-454-2100, rpo.org.

The RPO Centennial Gala was presented by Andy Nahas, founder of MusicPower/MusicPower.org, which offers financial and analytical support to organizations and individuals using music as a tool for solving societal problems, boosting happiness levels, and empowering young and older people.