RPO ANNOUNCES $200,000 END OF SEASON CHALLENGE
For Immediate Release: June 6, 2017
Media Contact: Sally Cohen, 585-749-1795, sally@sallycohenpr.com
RPO Info: rpo.org, facebook.com/RochesterPhilharmonic, twitter.com/RochesterPhil, rochesterphilharmonic.blogspot.com
RPO ANNOUNCES $200,000 END OF SEASON CHALLENGE
Every dollar donated worth $3 to Annual Fund through August 1
Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announces a $200,000 End of Season Challenge, made possible by six dedicated donors who will give $2 for every dollar donated through August 1st, up to $200,000 for a total of $300,000 in support.
The Challenge comes as the RPO nears the end of one of its most exciting and successful seasons ever, with a 20% increase in tickets sales, six completely sold-out concerts, and more than 5,200 first-time RPO concert-goers. The Orchestra is also within an arms-length of reaching its lofty Annual Fund goal by the 2016/17 season’s end, and is looking to the community for help with the last few steps.
“Because only 40% of our production and operating costs are covered by ticket sales revenue, this Challenge will ensure that we can continue to do good work – such as supporting music education – in this community,” says President & CEO Ralph Craviso.
Meanwhile, there are still plenty of great RPO concerts to catch during its summer season, including the City’s annual Independence Day Concert on July 4th, as well as Summer Sway: Dance Music from Around the World at CMAC on Saturday, July 22nd – both led by Music Director Ward Stare.
“We’re excited to perform outside of Kodak Hall for audiences all over the Greater Rochester region again this July, and we have ambitious plans for next season,” adds Stare. “All of us at the RPO are committed to taking the Orchestra to the next level, with even more exciting programming, increased community engagement, and additional educational opportunities – and donors will play a huge role in our success.”
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its founding in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. 12th Music Director Ward Stare joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Eugene Goossens, José Iturbi, Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his 22-year tenure with the RPO. With Michael Butterman as Principal Conductor for Education and Community Engagement (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair) – the first endowed position of its kind in the country – the RPO reaches more than 16,000 children through its specific programs for school-aged children.
Media please note: High-resolution images of our 2016/17 concerts are available at http://ow.ly/XTOa6, and interviews and photo/footage opportunities can be arranged.
###
