RPO Shares Good News at Annual Meeting

January 11, 2007

Rochester, NY– On Wednesday, January 10 at the Kate Gleason Auditorium in the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building in downtown Rochester, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra reported the results of its 2005-06 Season, ending August 31, 2006.

The focus of the meeting was on “Realizing the Vision,” the first year’s response to the RPO’s strategic plan based on its 2004-05 visioning process. At the Annual Meeting, the audited financial statements for FY06 were presented, the Orchestra’s institutional and artistic accomplishments were highlighted, and new board members were elected. 

Board Chair James Boucher introduced the meeting, and spoke about the RPO’s direction which includes continuing to execute the strategic plan, communicate the plan and how it’s working, and encourage the community to participate in the success of the RPO.  Boucher was followed by a financial report by Keith Wilson, Vice Chair and Treasurer.  Mr. Wilson reported that the 2005-06 Season had operating revenues of $9,115,047, with operating expenses of $9,096,910, reflecting an operating surplus of $18,137.  An 11% growth in revenue was noted since the previous year. 

Richard Nowlin, RPO President & CEO referred to the success of the first year’s implementation of the strategic plan, noting that "we’re proud of the results, which are creating a pathway to our envisioned future of greater artistic, financial and organizational success.”  Nowlin commented on:

  • the strategic investments made in the organizational infrastructure
  • the 8% increase in revenue from ticket sales and concert fees
  • the 7% increase in concert attendance
  • the 9% increase in contributed revenue
  • the incredibly successful Symphony Showhouse responsible for much of the 147% increase in special event revenues
  • the 10% increase in support from endowment earnings
  • the more than 300,000 people in the community served by the RPO
  • increased education and outreach services, and
  • the gain of national and international recognition

Nowlin also briefly discussed the forecast for future success, which included recordings, additional community collaborations, and increases in attendance, among others.

At the meeting, other activity reports during the 2000-06 Season were made by David Ackroyd, Chair, Education and Outreach Committee, and Chair, Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Board; and Marilyn Merrigan on behalf of Anne Selgas, Chair of the Volunteer Services Committee.

Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik spoke of the Orchestra’s many artistic successes which include:

  • Renee Fleming’s Home for the Holidays concert
  • World premiere of Dobbins’ Guitar Concerto
  • Selling out the original 10,000 copies of the Olga Kern recording, resulting in a second pressing
  • Celebrating Mozart’s 250th birthday
  • Continued successful Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival summer residency
  • Successful debut and collaboration with Mercury Opera Rochester
  • Jon Nakamatu all-Gershwin concert and recording
  • Increased summer attendance at CMAC
  • Symphony on the Erie concert 

Tyzik also read the following comments from Music Director Christopher Seaman, who is currently out of the country: “Rochester and its orchestra are the envy of many, many other cities of a far greater size than ours. The progress that we’ve made in development, tickets sales and the donor base are all signs that we are moving the organization to greater and greater heights. On the artistic side, I feel that we are moving forward in exactly the same way, enabling us to serve the community with an increasingly exceptional artistic presence. I am very happy that so much is coming together for the RPO."

The membership of the RPO recognized retiring board members and elected new members at the meeting.

 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS INFORMATION – As of January 10, 2007

Retiring Board Members:
Jay M. Friedman, Trial counsel, Chamberlain, D’Amanda, Oppenheimer and Greenfield
Marjorie Hunsberger, RPO Cellist
Patrick H. Murphy, Director, SUNY Training Center

Newly Elected Board Member:
Patrick Fulford, retired Vice President of Finance, U.S. Customer Operations, Xerox Corporation           

Re-Elected Board Members:
Christopher C. Booth, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate General Counsel, Lifetime Healthcare Companies
Dr. Steven E. Feldon, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Edward L. Fiandach, Attorney, Fiandach & Fiandach
Marie Kenton, President, Ketmar Development Corporation
David R. Nachbar, Senior Vice President – Human Resources, Bausch & Lomb
Elizabeth F. Rice, Vice President Finance, Business Group Operations, Xerox Corporation
Dr. Friederike Seligman, Assistant Professor of Russian, University of Rochester


Note:  An electronic PDF of the 2005-06 Annual Report is available online at www.rpo.org.