In 1992 the so called Wolf Report ("The Financial Condition of
Symphony Orchestras" by Wolf Organization Publisher) was released and
received much attention. The data the report provided stretched to
1991, but what has happened since then? The data was about total
performances, total attendance, costs and revenues and the financial
condition over all.

I do not ask for an elaborate study here, but if a sequel or another
similar but more recent study has been released and where to find it.

Another angle is this: the Wolf report covers the U.S.; but
information on other countries might be interested too or instead,
especially regarding Europe or European nations.

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Request for Question Clarification by guillermo-ga on 07 Jul 2004 21:42 PDT

Dear tobyloby-ga,

After several hours working on your question I haven't found a more
updated report like the one you mentioned in your question. Instead,
I've found the following:
-A 2004 article on American symphony orchestras situation;
-A 1996 article on Australian orchestras' future;
-A 2002 report on a program for symphony orchestras held by a funding
American organization;
-A 1997 organizational approach of symphony orchestras challenges in a
wider focus than just financial -which is considered but not
developed);
-The minutes of a 2002 International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians;
-A 1996 report about data on arts organizations.

Please let me know if the above mentioned would make an answer to your
question. Since I'm travelling tomorrow, I'll be online again by
Friday.

Best regards,

Guillermo

---

Clarification of Question by tobyloby-ga on 08 Jul 2004 03:14 PDT

Dear Guillermo,

Thank you for your question. There are a number of articles or reports
which describe the situation in general. Therefore, what I am
interested in primarily this time is the situation presented in
figures, which is harder to find. That means that if the 2004 article
on American symphony orchestras situation has a financial approach and
provides some numbers about revenues and sold tickets per concert
etc., it would be fine. This is actually the answer for all articles
and reports you mention.

Another clarification: an update of the Wolf Report is number one on
my wishlist; otherwise, Europe is of more concern and interest since
there is where I operate.

Why don?t we do like this: you send me the reports you have mentioned
and I tip you $10 if you take another round looking for the condition
of symphony orchestras described in figures.

---

Request for Question Clarification by guillermo-ga on 09 Jul 2004 22:23 PDT

Dear Tobyloby-ga,

Thank you for your clarification. Now I can see more precisely what
your need is. Most of the reports I mentioned are good enough to draw
a picture of the symphony orchestra's general situation, but are quite
scarce about figures. Here you are a detail about it:
-A 2004 article on American symphony orchestras situation: only a
general deficit figure.
-A 1996 article on Australian orchestras' future: a few figures about
Australian budgets, subsidies, and comparative salary levels for
musicians in Australia, America and Europe.
-A 2002 report on a program for symphony orchestras held by a funding
American organization: some figures regarding the program's funds
distribution and expenses for the participating orchestras.
-A 1997 organizational approach of symphony orchestras challenges in a
wider focus than just financial -which is considered but not
developed): no figures.
-Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (minutes) Facts: a few
figures regarding contributions and salaries for a couple of
orchestras.
-A 1996 report about data on arts organizations: some figures about
budgets of organizations, with no breakdown to identify the symphony
orchestras? group.

After your clarification, it seems to me that this data is not so
close to the answer you?re expecting. Now, I do take your challenge:
I?ll go for the tip doing another searching tour. If I find the kind
of hard data that you need, I?ll post it as an answer with all of the
reports I told you about. If I don?t, I?ll post what I already have as
a comment, since after your clarification I don?t think it?s so close
to your needs, therefore, I wouldn?t claim for the money upon it.

Best regards,

Guillermo

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Clarification of Question by tobyloby-ga on 12 Jul 2004 12:35 PDT

Guillermo, 

Challenges are what drive us, right? 

I look forward to see what you will come up with.

---

Request for Question Clarification by guillermo-ga on 12 Jul 2004 20:37 PDT

Absolutely!! I keep on searching, and also sent a couple of emails to
people who maybe will come up with good leads. I'll be in touch.

Regards,

Guillermo

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Request for Question Clarification by guillermo-ga on 14 Jul 2004 13:39 PDT

Hello Tobyloby,

I've just received some news from one of the sources I'd tried by
email. I'm reviewing them so I could tell you within a couple of hours
if this is it.

I'll keep in touch.

Guillermo

Dear Tobyloby,

I think we finally made it! I was really close, but the help of
someone from the American Symphony Orchestra League (ASOL) was
decisive to hit the nail on the head. (If I don?t mention him here is
not for lack of gratitude, but because I didn?t ask him for
permission).

The closest to what you?re looking for is, I believe, The Wolf Report
and Baumol?s Curse: The Economic Health of American Symphony
Orchestras in the 1990s and Beyond, by Douglas J. Dempster. (Harmony,
FORUM OF THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INSTITUTE, NUMBER 15 ? OCTOBER
2002)(http://www.soi.org/harmony/archive/15/Wolf_Report_Dempster.pdf )
In this report, Mr. Dempster analysis the Wolf Report ?and 1966
?Baumol?s Curse?- under the light of recent data, in order to
understand how the evolution of the symphony orchestras? business
followed or differed from Dr. Wolf?s projections.

Very recent figures on the symphony orchestra field can be found at
the Quick Orchestra Facts section at the ASOL website. For the 2002-03
Season: http://www.symphony.org/research/facts/index03.shtml
For the 2001-02 Season: http://www.symphony.org/research/facts/index02.shtml
For the 2000-01 Season: http://www.symphony.org/research/facts/index.shtml

The former is a part of the section Research & Statistics, which you
would probably want to visit
(http://www.symphony.org/research/index.shtml )

Browsing this website, in the bookstore section
(http://www.symphony.org/book/index.shtml ), I found this title (its
description below) which seems to deal with some of the issues your
interested in:

AMERICAN ORCHESTRA FACT BOOK
?The American Orchestra Fact Book is a compilation of facts and
figures about orchestras in America - their traditions, types of
concerts and attendance patterns, repertoire, work force, and
finances. It is a valuable tool for fund raising, advocacy, and simply
teaching others about the American orchestra. Everyone involved with
an orchestra - whether part of the administrative staff, volunteer
organization, or Board of Directors - should have a copy of this
book.?

Below, there are the links to the sources I had told you about in my
clarification requests:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/1/9/185734.shtml A 2004
article on American symphony orchestras situation. Facts: only a
general deficit figure.

http://www.mca.org.au/m15209.htm (Australia) A 1996 article on
Australian orchestras' future. Facts: a few figures about Australian
budgets, subsidies, and comparative salary levels for musicians in
Australia, America and Europe.

http://www.mellon.org/programs/performingarts/Program%20for%20Symphony%20Orchestras%20Interim%20Report.pdf
A 2002 report on a program for symphony orchestras held by a funding
American organization. Facts: some figures regarding the program's
funds distribution and expenses for the participating orchestras.

A 1997 organizational approach of symphony orchestras challenges in a
wider focus than just financial -which is considered but not
developed). No figures.
http://www.soi.org/harmony/archive/5/Path_Change_Boulian.pdf

http://www.icsom.org/pdf/minits00.pdf International Conference of
Symphony and Opera Musicians (minutes) Facts: a few figures regarding
contributions and salaries for a couple of orchestras.

http://www.princeton.edu/~artspol/webexec.pdf A 1996 report about data
on arts organizations.

And a few others that might be of your interest that I found in my further search:

A 2003 Undergraduate Thesis by Alice Wang at the Princeton University:
?THE AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: RENEWABLE AUDIENCES OR A DYING
INSTITUTION??: http://www.princeton.edu/culturalpolicy/studentpap/undergrad%20thesis3%20Wang.pdf

The Notes by the Research Division of the National Endowment for the
Arts (http://www.nea.gov/pub/ResearchNotes.html ), particularly the
April 2002 Note #79, ?The Arts in the GDP: Consumers Spend $9.8
Billion on Admissions to Performing Arts Events in 2000?:
http://www.nea.gov/pub/Notes/79.pdf

I hope you find this information satisfactory. If you have any doubt
about it, please feel free to ask me for clarification.

Best regards,

Guillermo

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Request for Answer Clarification by tobyloby-ga on 15 Jul 2004 00:29 PDT

Guillermo,

I appreciate your effort and what it seems at the moment, your good
help. I will use today and tomorrow to look closer into the sources
you mention and come back to you after that.

Best,
// toby.

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Clarification of Answer by guillermo-ga on 15 Jul 2004 06:01 PDT

Hello, Toby,

Please take your time to look into them. I'll wait for your feedback. Thank you.

Guillermo

Hello Toby,

Thank you very much for the rating and the tip. I'm happy that my work
met your expectations so well.

Best,

Guillermo