Oregon Symphony Posts Another Deficit

The orchestra has endured such financial stress for years. Elaine Calder, a strategic consultant to the Oregon Symphony and formerly managing director of the Edmonton Symphony, told The Oregonian that the organization's expenses have consistently outweighed revenues in the past decade or so.

Last summer and fall, the Oregon Symphony suffered staff cuts, contract negotiations, the departure of its concertmaster and a deficit of nearly $1 million.

Changes intended to increase income and reduce expenditures will be finalized this fall and implemented for the 2008-09 season. Said Calder, "[Board chair] Walt Weyler and I are simply the latest in a long line of intelligent, committed board chair/CEO partners to attempt to reverse our fortunes. Let's hope this time we succeed!"

Last December, Calder suggested to the press that the Oregon Symphony may be playing too much classical music, that it should consider performing in locations beyond its own concert hall, and that the orchestra should have a music director who lives in or near Portland. (Carlos Kalmar, who currently holds the position, maintains his permanent residence in Vienna.)

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