The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic has hit a high note on major financial matters.
Leaders reported during Monday’s annual meeting at the Columbus Area Visitors Center that the nonprofit organization has financial commitments of $1.9 million for its $2.5 million capital campaign for the planned new 80- to 100-seat Helen Haddad Music, Arts and Event Center connected to its Franklin Street office.
That’s about 75 percent of the needed funding.
“Our board and our community have come together to support our vision,” said Sharon Andrews, outgoing board president.
Longtime Philharmonic patrons Bob and Helen Haddad pledged $1 million to the Philharmonic to expand its conference room into a community events center for host recitals, concerts and meetings.
The Haddads provided $500,000 outright and $500,000 in matching funds to complement public donations. That $1 million pledge is part of the Philharmonic’s fund drive, Music Builds Community: A Campaign for Music + Performing Arts.
Leaders said in June when announcing the Haddad gift that construction on the center would not begin until the financial goal was met.
During its annual meeting, the Philharmonic reported a $32,000 profit for it latest fiscal year, having turned the corner financially in the 2012-2013 season from a deficit budget, not uncommon for orchestras today.
Keynote speaker Robert Kaspar, a former Philharmonic board president, reported that the local ensemble’s current $916,000 annual budget lands it among the nation’s top 25 percent of orchestras.
Kaspar is a director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Foundation and past chairman of the ISO.
“You guys are important on the national stage,” said Kaspar, who was on board when the Philharmonic formed in 1987 with an annual budget of $60,000. “And you guys are in a very enviable position.”
Other communities Columbus’ size and even larger would wish for such an organization with the polish and the impact of the 77-member Philharmonic — especially given the orchestra’s strong emphasis on educational programs, provided for all interested students, regardless of their family’s ability to cover costs.
For years, the orchestra has dedicated more than 20 percent of its budget to programs such as strings camps and its youth orchestra.
One example is the 30-year-old Andrews, who has been involved with the orchestra’s programs for 22 years, beginning with the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir and the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Plus, Philharmonic Music Director David Bowden announced the newest early childhood development musical program for 2-year-olds.
Kasper lauded the Philharmonic for one other statistic — the fact that 27 percent of its budget comes from ticket sales. The national average among orchestras is 25 percent, said Kaspar, citing figures from the League of American Orchestras.
The orchestra also highlighted other successes in the past season, including:
An average attendance of 340 people for seven Cabaret at The Commons shows in 2017-1018.
An attendance of more than 3,000 people for its Free Memorial Day weekend Salute! concert on the lawn of the Bartholomew County Memorial For Veterans.
An attendance of 422 people at its annual February Bourbonfest fundraiser that netted $25,000.
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The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic during its annual meeting Monday:
- Elected new officers. They are: Barry Turner, president; Sharon Andrews, immediate past president; Mark Pillar, vice president; Therese Copeland, secretary; and Joe Smith, teasurer.
- Thanked outgoing board members Bonnie Boatwright, Sarah Cannon, Dick Cooley and Wayne Nyffeler.
- Welcomed new board members Patrick Andrews, Melissa Fairbanks, Bill Garber, Jim Green and Mark Pillar.
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