Photo credit: Cathy Cheney | Portland Business Journal

Today at a lunch meeting with the musicians between our morning and afternoon rehearsals, OSO President Elaine Calder gave a short, no-nonsense talk on the state of the OSO’s finances in light of the stock market crash, bank credit crisis, and other such ominous events. [Read more →]

In a stunning turn of events, an ‘angel’ donor who wishes to remain anonymous has donated a staggering $100 million dollars to fund a purpose-built hall for symphonic music in Portland.

The Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has been attached to the project, which is due to break ground on a plot of land near the Memorial Colosseum in mid-2010.

The Oregon Symphony will not only be the primary tenant, but will own the hall through a separate foundation, to which another donor has pledged an endowment to ensure that the hall’s upkeep and expenses will be covered in perpetuity.

Oregon Symphony President Elaine Calder, when checked for comment, said only “check the date”.

The Kansas City Star reports that the Kansas City Symphony’s subscription sales for next season are up over last year’s record increases, and that major new outreach plans are in the works to revitalize the orchestra. [Read more →]