The future of the financially strapped Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will be the focus of a special Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon to be held Friday, Dec. 20.
MSO president and executive director Mark Niehaus will be the featured guest at the luncheon, which will take place Friday, Dec. 20, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Newsroom Pub in downtown Milwaukee, 137 E. Wells St.
Niehaus announced last week that the MSO urgently needs to raise $5 million in community and corporate support to survive.
If the symphony cannot generate $5 million in the coming weeks, it will no longer be able to sustain its operations, Niehaus said. Due to ongoing financial struggles, the organization recently announced a restructuring plan that included trimming its orchestra and administrative staffs, renegotiating employee benefits packages, and securing more performance slots at its home at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through a noncontiguous schedule.
The $5 million needed in the next few weeks will make up for a $2 million deficit the organization suffered last year and $3 million required to balance the budget this year, Niehaus said.
At the Newsmaker Luncheon, Niehaus will be interviewed by a panel of journalists. The discussion will be moderated by BizTimes executive editor Steve Jagler.
The Milwaukee Press Club presents the Newsmaker Luncheons to shed light on issues of the day. The public is invited to attend the luncheons. The cost to attend is $18 for MPC members, $23 for non-members, $13 for students. Lunch is included. Seating will be limited. Advanced registration and payment are required and may be done online at www.milwaukeepressclub.org.
