THE CLEVELAND ORCHES-
CONTINUED
implementing strategic goals to broaden the audiences and community we serve and benefit. This has brought a focus on broader community engagement across Northeast Ohio, to the importance of the entire concert experience, and to the influence of changing social patterns and technologies.
THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Of equal importance, we have developed a structure of financial disciplines geared to support a recapitalization of our institution, improve operating margins, and resist the temptation to satisfy near-term financial needs at the expense of long-term financial stability. The dedication of all constituencies to this objective is clearly reflected in our recently completed, successful and cooperative trade agreement negotiations.
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CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA THE CLEVELAND ORCHE
Our year-on-year operating deficit shrank from $2.7 million in FY11 to $180,000 in FY12 — as a result of success in the special fundraising portion of our Sound for the Centennial Campaign. In order to continue on track for the future, we must succeed in sustaining this effort over the next three years while building our endowment. We are making progress toward eliminating concerns for future deficits, and we are a third of the way toward securing commitments for the Campaign’s overall endowment goals. Central to our vision, the justification for all these efforts begins with the musical experience. Here at Severance Hall and Blossom, in Miami and New York, and abroad in Vienna, Paris, and Salzburg, I have had many opportunities to experience The Cleveland Orchestra’s artistic ascendancy first-hand, and to revel in the musical gifts they share in each performance. This is an Orchestra worthy of the acclaim it receives and the pride it inspires. At the same time, the Orchestra is pursuing a variety of programs, from education and community initiatives to innovations such as Fridays@7 and expanded opera and ballet offerings. Coupled with strong audience development efforts, these initiatives are attracting new audiences that are younger than ever before. We are able to offer much only because of our community’s generosity — nearly 13,000 donors gave $17.3 million in FY12 annual support, in addition to endowment commitments to our comprehensive Campaign. We owe a debt of gratitude to the people of Northeast Ohio for such extraordinary generosity. We are proud to serve this community through our performances and education activities, and in doing so to contribute to the economic growth of our region and serve as a source of community pride. As one of the region’s most visible ambassadors, we proudly carry the Cleveland name everywhere we play. I am confident that together we are making steady progress toward long-term institutional and financial health, and toward the long-term sustainability of this great Orchestra for our great community.
Dennis W. LaBarre President
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From the President
The Cleveland Orchestra