Optimism in Omaha

An article came out a couple of weeks ago on Omaha.com with some positive news from the Omaha Symphony.  Attendance during the Symphony’s 2014-15 season was record setting, and even subscription packages to multiple concerts are on the rise. Pretty exciting.  Of course, the question is why.
Why are more people coming to the symphony for the first time? Why are people coming back more frequently than before?  Innovative and audience-centered programming? The article highlights Omaha’s “Symphony Rocks” series, its “Movie Music” series, and its educational programming.  But the article also quickly points out that the “MasterWorks” series is holding its own in terms of attendance as well.  Maybe the increases are also a result of the orchestra’s strategic marketing effort – reaching out to first time subscribers and offering them steep discounts.  Wherever the growth is coming from, clearly they are doing something right in Omaha.
Like many of the positive stories coming out of orchestras in the last few years, the article acknowledges that there have been struggles along side the successes.  In 2009, musicians took a pay cut of 5 percent.  But just last year, a new five year contract was put into place that will give musicians a raise of 11.71%.  Clearly, there is reason to be optimistic in Omaha.