Philharmonic hopes for sounder financial footing

GREELEY – The longest-running orchestra in the Rocky Mountain region just celebrated its 100th birthday and is now moving into its next performance season.

But the hoopla and community support that the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra saw during last season’s big anniversary has fallen off, and so the GPO is taking a number of steps to stave off the financial woes seen at so many orchestras nationwide.

Season-ticket sales for 2011-2012 are down, falling to 438 vs. 458 the previous season. Donor numbers also are down, dropping by roughly 15 percent from the 185 on the books in the 2010-2011 season. Single-ticket sales were stronger last season – 5,931 vs. 5,257 in the previous season – so it may be that at least some of the decline in season-ticket sales and donations are offset this year. But that won’t be known until the season ends next spring.

Though the numbers aren’t positive, Tim Fleming, GPO’s executive director since July, said the orchestra has plenty of reason to believe it will continue performing for the Greeley area community and region for years to come.

“There are about 28 orchestras in the country in continuous seasons and we’re one of them,” he said. “That includes some pretty interesting periods of time – World Wars I and II and the Depression. It’s pretty amazing.”

Despite its long history, Fleming said many local residents are surprised to discover the GPO exists.

“A lot of people in Northern Colorado don’t know about the Greeley Phil,” he said. “I’ve invited people in who said they had no idea we had this quality of an orchestra.”

Getting more of those people to become aware of the GPO is part of the job ahead.

Fleming said the GPO has an annual budget of about $400,000, which covers the salaries of two full-time employees, musician and conductor expenses, performance hall rentals and other costs.

The nonprofit GPO is supported by ticket sales, donations, its 35-plus corporate sponsors and the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra Guild, a group of stalwart local supporters who host a series of fundraisers during the year.

The GPO also gets some help by being located in the Greeley/Weld Enterprise Zone. GPO donors who contribute at least $500 a year can get a federal and state tax deduction and an Enterprise Zone tax credit.

Unlike the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, which is going through some tough financial times including a $2.1 million deficit for 2010-11, the GPO is making ends meet.

“We’re able to pay our bills and pay our musicians,´ said Fleming.

A bigger cushion would be welcome, of course.

Jackie Johnson, GPO’s board president, noted the orchestra is “financially facing the same kinds of problems as other orchestras around the country.”

But Johnson acknowledged the GPO is not having the same kind of season it had during its 100th, when the milestone created more buzz and ticket sales.

The 101st season got under way in September and runs through next April.

“I wouldn’t say we’re in trouble,” she said. “(But) we’re not sitting fat and pretty, and we’ll be working hard at raising money.”

Johnson said the 21-member GPO board is working on implementing the “Second Century Project,” a strategic plan that aims to shore up the orchestra’s finances and find new ways to connect with the community to sell more tickets to its performances.

“We started last summer with some community outreach,” she said. “Shoring up our finances is certainly a priority, along with spending what we have wisely. It’s a big task.”

Johnson said the plan also includes finding ways to attract a younger audience and coming up with programs that will entice more people to come out for an evening of GPO entertainment.

Johnson said she’s optimistic about the GPO’s future.

“I’m very enthusiastic about the orchestra,” she said. “I think it’ll continue to be a high-quality orchestra, and that’s very important to the Greeley community.”

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