© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Aging Audience of Orchestras

A recent article in The New York Times described how orchestras around the country are trying to draw more people, especially younger ones, to the concert hall. Some of the enticements include speed dating, salsa lessons, 20 minutes concerts, and free buffets. Kansas City Symphony Executive Director Frank Byrne responds. By Laura Spencer

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-481387.mp3

5:15

Kansas City, Missouri – A recent article in The New York Times described how orchestras around the country are trying to draw more people, especially younger ones, to the concert hall. Some of the enticements include speed dating, salsa lessons, 20 minutes concerts, and free buffets. KCUR's Laura Spencer talked to
Kansas City Symphony
Executive Director Frank Byrne about responding to the challenges of an aging audience.

Additional resources: Letters to the Editor respond to The New York Times article;
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation study
on how classical fans connect to music, symphonies; and The Kansas City Symphony?s Young Friends of the Symphony

KCUR prides ourselves on bringing local journalism to the public without a paywall — ever.

Our reporting will always be free for you to read. But it's not free to produce.

As a nonprofit, we rely on your donations to keep operating and trying new things. If you value our work, consider becoming a member.