Shuttering Orchestra’s Head Says Recent Profits a ‘Fluke’

The executive director of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra says the organization remains in dire financial straits and will close as planned after the forthcoming season, despite ending two of the past three years in the black, the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes.

Tax filings show the organization netted $5,006 in 2011 and $11,872 in 2013, and lost $31,950 loss in the intervening year. Orchestra chief Dan Linssen said the small profits “were more of a fluke,” resulting largely from desperate appeals to donors to keep the ensemble afloat.

Mr. Linssen announced in May that the century-old orchestra would disband in 2015 due to shrinking revenue and persistent deficits. Green Bay musicians have suggested more aggressive fundraising and promotion could help put the organization back on its feet, but Mr. Linssen said the previous emergency appeals have left donors cool to giving again.