Dear Friends: In 2009, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra stands at an historic crossroads—looking back The 2007-08 season, which ended on August 31, 2008, We are proud to be leaders at the Rochester on a period of accomplishment governed by our last strategic plan and simultaneously looking was successful by most measures, but was also the most Philharmonic at this pivotal moment in its history. forward to the dual transformation of this organization and of our beloved home, the Eastman challenging of the past three years. Vacancies in more The Orchestra’s artistry and community support Theatre. The past year alone has been one of celebration and of progress, as we commemorated than a dozen administrative positions, including key have reached unprecedented levels, the Board and the 85th Anniversary of the RPO itself and celebrated Christopher Seaman’s 10th Anniversary leadership roles in Development and Marketing, slowed administration are strong and fully engaged, three-year Season as our gifted and greatly admired Music Director. the pace of growth in those areas, while unbudgeted contracts are in place for our musicians and our search and consulting expenses were incurred until conducting staff, and we are eagerly anticipating In short, we have a wonderful story to tell—one that we are thrilled to share with you. those positions were filled. These factors contributed the reopening of Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre in It’s why we decided to transform our traditional Annual Report format into this broader to a deficit for the year of $162,000, or about 1.6% of October 2009 and the grand opening of the new wing Report to the Community. the organization’s $10.2 million budget. Nevertheless, in 2010. At the same time that we are transforming the over the three-year strategic plan horizon, the RPO’s RPO’s business model, the completed theatre project healthy gains in revenue, coupled with controlled will transform the concert-going experience for the Prelude to Transformation expense growth, produced a near-breakeven result: more than 150,000 adults and young people who hear a modest shortfall of $44,000, or a mere 0.15% of the RPO there every year. A world-class orchestra in a mid-sized city: this is the miracle of the RPO. And this miracle the RPO’s $28.9 budget during the period. has been made possible over the past 86 years by the extraordinary generosity of the people You—our audience and supporters—make the music of this region—individual concertgoers, as well as those who make funding decisions for our LOOKING AHEAD possible, and we look forward to making great music government, corporate, and foundation partners. Few orchestras in America can boasta roster Buoyed by the momentum of dramatic revenue gains for you as the transformation of your RPO continues of donors as large as ours—nearly 7,000 households every season. And for that, we are extremely over the past three years and inspired by the promise in the years ahead. grateful. Our journey into transformation would not be possible without your support. of the Eastman Theatre project, the RPO Board of Directors appointed an ad hoc committee last spring Three years ago, the RPO embarked on an ambitious growth plan we called Ensuring a Vibrant to formulate our next three-year strategic plan. This Future , which laid the groundwork for our long-term vision of organizational excellence, effort, chaired by Board Vice Chair Suzanne D. Welch, community service, and national recognition. Within that framework were a set of specific culminated in July 2008 with the Board’s unanimous James M. Boucher Charles H. Owens objectives centered on the infrastructure of the RPO: to strengthen its capacity to grow both approval of the 2008-2011 Transformation Plan . Its Chairperson of the Board President & CEO earned and contributed revenues; to complete the New Century Campaign for the RPO guiding principles are to: Endowment; and, in partnership with the Eastman School of Music, to continue to advance • Solidify the RPO’s financial base plans for the renovation of the Eastman Theatre. • Optimize the potential of the transformed We now can look back with considerable pride on the tremendous progress the RPO has made Eastman Theatre over the past three years against these goals. Consider the following: • Address musician compensation • Earned revenue from ticket sales and concert fees grew 22% over the three-year period— • Achieve greater diversity among Board, staff, a rate of more than 7% each year—from $3.37 million in 2004-05 to $4.11 million in 2007-08. and audiences Driving this growth was an impressive 25% rise in subscription sales and a concurrent 18% rise in single- ticket sales. • Reach a greater level of national and international recognition • Contributed revenue, including support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, grew 13% during the period, from $3.02 million to $3.42 million last season. The average • Reinvigorate the RPO brand and strengthen gift to the Annual Campaign rose from $282 to $348, an increase of 23%. its support from the Greater Rochester community • A significant source of this growth was giving from the RPO Board and Honorary Board, •Reinvent the RPO’s summer season profile which rose 46% over the past three years, from $398,000 to $580,000. We are extremely •Renovate our downtown headquarters at proud of this impressive demonstration of generosity and leadership. 108 East Avenue to create a vibrant and • Even with major capacity-building investments in the RPO’s Marketing and Development welcoming Orchestra Center operations, careful cost management kept overall expense growth in check and on plan. •Position the RPO for the next Endowment • Under the leadership of Co-Chairs A. Thomas Hildebrandt and Jon L. Schumacher, Campaign and long-term financial stability the New Century Endowment Campaign achieved its $10 million goal in 2007. One year from now, we will report back to you on the • In March 2007, the University of Rochester announced that it would move forward, in strides we’ve made toward these goals—progress that partnership with the RPO, with exciting plans to renovate and expand the Eastman Theatre already is happening every day. complex. Commitments of $13 million from the State of New York, $10 million from Eastman Kodak Company, and $2.5 million from the Davenport-Hatch Foundation—among many others—have propelled this project forward and construction is now well under way. 1 2 ‘The whole RPO is truly greater than the sum of its parts Dear Friends: Every time I think back on the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2007-08 Season, I reflect with pride on the wonderful memories of the Orchestra’s 85th Anniversary celebration and your very gracious recognition of my decade as your music director. From the anticipation of the Red Carpet with my accompanying bagpiper and the opening performance of Rite of Spring , to the closing concert with Carmina Burana , it was a season not to be forgotten! ROCHESTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, INC. As many of you already have heard me say, the RPO has been – and continues to be – Maintaining and operating the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (Founded in 1923 - Incorporated in 1930) the most fulfilling experience of my entire conducting career, and I have all of you to Ocers Board of Directors Ex-Ocio Honorary Board James M. Boucher (Term Expires Jan. 2009) Jennifer Burch Robert D. Hursh thank for that: my extraordinary colleagues and friends Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Chairperson of the Board David W. Ackroyd RPO Orchestra Representative Chairperson Tyzik and Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach Michael Butterman; our Dr. John M. Bennett world-class musicians who consistently inspire me with their talent and energy; our Charles H. Owens William D. Eggers David C. Heiligman Dr. James E. Koller President & CEO LaMarr J. Jackson Immediate Past Chairperson Vice Chairperson creative and committed staff and Board; our individual, business, foundation, and Elizabeth F. Rice government supporters; and of course, our audiences who come to experience our Suzanne D. Welch Dr. Friederike Seligman Robert D. Hursh Betty J. Altier performances throughout the community. The whole RPO is truly greater Vice Chairperson Dr. Gwen K. Sterns Chairperson, Honorary Board Dr. John Bouyoucos than the sum of its parts. Dr. Sidney S. Weinstein Paul W. Briggs Keith M. Wilson Suzanne D. Welch Douglas Lowry William L. Cahn Vice Chairperson Dean, Eastman School of Music Catherine B. Carlson As we look ahead to the next stage in our transformation, (Term Expires Jan. 2010) George M. Ewing, Sr. including the long-awaited Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Elizabeth F. Rice Patrick C. Burke Charles H. Owens Harold & Joan Feinbloom Treasurer Dr. Steven E. Feldon President & CEO Jay M. Friedman I extend both my thank you and my welcome to continue your Patrick Fulford Mary M. Gooley relationship with us – or begin a new tradition. I look forward William D. Eggers Ann M. Huston Anne Selgas Austin E. Hildebrandt s to seeing you soon. Secretary Marie Kenton Chairperson, A. Thomas Hildebrandt r Dawn F. Lipson Volunteer Services Committee Robert H. Hurlbut David C. Heiligman Anne Sartori Dr. Jacques M. Lipson Immediate Past Chairperson Ingrid A. Stanlis Cricket & Frank Luellen Christopher Seaman o Keith M. Wilson I.A. Morris Christopher Seaman Mrs. William H. Morris Music Director PHOTO: Gelfand-Piper Photography t (Term Expires Jan. 2011) Dr. Paul F. Pagerey A crowd lines Gibbs Street in anticipation of the Red Carpet Walk by members of the RPO and Dr. Sarah Atkinson Herbert L. Rees Music Director Christopher Seaman, celebrating c James M. Boucher Nathan J. Robfogel the opening of the Orchestra’s 85th Anniversary Season and Christopher Seaman’s decade of Edward L.