Music Academy of the West Posts Record Attendance, Revenue Totals in 2014

Santa Barbara, CA -- The Music Academy of the West has posted its highest attendance and revenue totals in its storied 67-year history, campus officials have announced. Sales revenue for the Music Academy's 2014 season, which concluded August 9, was up 3.5 percent over the previous year, while overall attendance grew to just shy of 35,500. Driving much of the gains were two sold-out performances of Carmen -- presented in honor of legendary mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne's 80th birthday -- at Santa Barbara's Granada Theatre on August 1 and 3. The 2014 Summer Festival also saw the Music Academy net a record $459,000 for its full-scholarship program through its annual Cabaret gala fundraiser on August 7 at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort.

Such successes are part of a broader trend at the Music Academy. Ticket sales have grown 19 percent over the last three years, and the Academy's Annual Fund will have increased almost 20 percent in just the last two years. Subscription and applicant totals are also on the rise.

Notable recent programmatic achievements include an unprecedented four-year partnership with the New York Philharmonic that will send selected Academy instrumentalists to study and perform with the celebrated orchestra each winter. The inaugural contingent of these "Global Academy Fellows" will be in New York this January. The Music Academy is also gearing up to present soprano Michelle Bradley and pianist Michael Gaertner -- winners of the 2014 Marilyn Horne Song Competition -- in recital in New York, Dallas, and Santa Barbara next spring.

"The Music Academy is well positioned to build on its recent successes and capitalize on its core strengths. Our community is clearly responding to the high artistic quality and innovative programming that have come to define the Music Academy Summer Festival," said Academy Board Chair Robert Toledo.

Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and frequent performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, guest conductors, and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and Fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room, and board). Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 200 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and Fellows; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. The Music Academy began broadcasting live, high-definition simulcasts by the world-renowned Metropolitan Opera at Hahn Hall in October 2008. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!