It’s not the first, and it might not be the last either; the Philadelphia Orchestra filed for bankruptcy over the weekend, showing that even the country’s most celebrated symphonies are feeling both short term and long term economic pain. In existence for 111 years, the orchestra played an instrumental role in bringing the caliber of U.S. classical music up to that offered overseas, and is listed among the top seven in the nation. But everything from high rent at the organization’s Kimmel Center to disputes over musicians’ benefits and sagging ticket sales has left the Orchestra with a $5 million deficit this year. Are orchestras on the verge of extinction? Jesse Rosen, president and CEO of the League of American Orchestras, joins us now to talk about some of the larger challenges organizations are facing around the country.
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