RPO Facing Budget Issues

Opening night was all about the peace and love of the Beatle's sixties era music, but the budget isn't so sweet. The organization had to change part of the 2012-2012 lineup to help bring the budget out of the red, "what we've tried to do and I think what we've been successful in doing is replacing music that was disproportionately expensive with music of equal artistic value," explains Mark Berry, the Vice President of Marketing and Communication for the RPO.

Still, they say, they'll be able to offer the same quality performances patrons have grown to expect over the last 90 years. Longtime concert attendee Marisa Marchese says she doesn't mind the amended line up for the season, "no it doesn't bother me," says Marchese, "whatever it takes to keep it alive is what it takes."

Fellow concert attendee Keith Yates says it's the community's job to keep the RPO afloat, "it's part of the culture, explains Yates, "I'm proud of the fact we have a philharmonic orchestra and we should support it to keep it here."

It's that support the organization will depend on for years to come, "it's been this community that's supported us very generously for the last ninety years," explains Charlie Owens, President and CEO of the RPO, "and that support shows no signs of abating. We are here to serve the community and in turn the community supports us."

Despite the changes to performances, the RPO's ticket prices will remain the same.

To find out more visit their website here.