Are Orchestras Losing The PR Game? Are They Even Playing?

The Oregon Symphony is facing a serious ticket sales slump, as audiences who packed the hall for the first two seasons following music director Carlos Kalmar’s arrival have deserted the orchestra in droves this fall. “Kalmar’s agenda — his choice of music — isn’t resonating with ticket buyers. It’s quirky, bordering on — how shall we say — bizarre.” But the orchestra’s problems may run deeper than programming choices. “Classical musicians aren’t good at rousing the electorate. They don’t know how to create buzz. They either think buzz is beneath them or they believe people don’t care enough about them to justify buzz. And yet, in this digital age, it takes a rapid-response public-relations blitz to get anything done.”