BPO Celebrates Balanced Budget & Strong Ticket Sales in 2013-14 Season

BUFFALO, NY -- The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra once again achieved a balanced budget for its 2013-14 season.

The orchestra's $11.3 million in revenue matched its expenses, with 84 percent of its revenue going towards the orchestra and programs. Ticket sales, which have climbed 17 percent since 2009, brought in $3.367 million in revenue. Annual contributed income comprised 38 percent of the budget.

The 2013-14 season, which ended in August 2014, marked the BPO's ninth balanced budget in the past ten seasons, and the orchestra's endowment passed the $32 million mark.

An estimated 200,000 people attended a BPO concert during the 2013-14 season. Four CDs were released during the BPO's 2013-14 season, including the highly-anticipated recording of Reinhold Gliere's Symphony No. 3, "Il'ya Muromets," which the BPO performed at Spring For Music at Carnegie Hall in 2013.

A recently-released report to the community examined the orchestra's progress in three major strategic areas: audience growth, artistic development, and fiscal responsibility. It reviewed highlights of the season, such as the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition; the BPO's Florida tour and debut on the Schiede Concert Series at Princeton University; and the world premiere of Miguel del Aguila's Concierto en Tango. The BPO's education programs reached 40,000 students, and more than 35,000 people attended the BPO's summer concerts, including performances at the Erie County Fair and at Canalside.

"Week in and week out, our musicians have performed with commitment, excellence and dedication to deliver a world-class musical experience to Western New York audiences," said BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta. "The community's support inspires us to continue to achieve great things."

"We are thankful to our donors and our concertgoers for another great year," said BPO Executive Director Daniel Hart. "We look forward to building on our success from a position of strength, and continuing to serve the Western New York community which has responded so wholeheartedly to our endeavors."

"While balancing its artistic integrity with strong fiscal management, the Buffalo Philharmonic orchestra has earned the support of our Community", said BPO Board Chair Louis P. Ciminelli."Buffalo's renaissance is in full swing, and the BPO is proud to be contributing to it. It is an exciting time to be involved with the orchestra"

As Buffalo's cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the leadership of music director JoAnn Falletta presents more than 100 concerts each year. Since 1940, the orchestra's home has been Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark with a reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States. During the tenure of JoAnn Falletta, the BPO has rekindled its history of radio broadcasts and recordings, including the release of 32 new recordings on the Naxos and Beau Fleuve labels. For more information about the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, visit www.bpo.org.