The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) has been playing for our biggest city for 30 years. We catch up with CEO Barbara Glaser to find out the APO has maintained popularity over the years.

In times when budgets shrink and belts tighten, art and culture is often the first to suffer. When people think about how to cost-cut, life’s little frivolities – like going to the theatre or attending a concert – tend to get nipped in the bud. APO CEO Barbara Glaser says it was inevitable the orchestra see some shrinking during the recession, but this has been minimal.

“We have definitely felt the recession, but not so much in our audience,” she says. “Last year was our strongest ticket-selling year for years and APO subscriptions are up again this year. Where we’ve found times a little tougher is when we look for external funding sources from trusts and foundations. These groups aren’t turning their backs on us or having a change of heart, there just isn’t that much money around for funding at the moment. Add to this the tragedy in Christchurch and the investment required to restore it – money is tight for everyone right now.

“We’re always looking for ways to be leaner and more sensible; ways to cut meagre spending without compromising the product we put out. In times of recession, if you pull your head in, you’ll be dead by the time the recession is over, so what we do is keep the organisation growing, hitting its goals, having a fresh and exciting programme and remaining responsible and sustainable.

“We need to not stop doing things just because of the economic climate – we need to keep doing different things so that people can’t help but come to our concerts!”

Barbara says despite financial challenges, APO is still seeing a lot of people at concerts.

“We’re having to respond to the recession by being even more clever about the shows we put on and the ways we market ourselves,” she says. “APO has been going strong for 30 years now and I think the reason it has remained resilient is simply because of the great music we programme.

“The APO is filled with energy, enthusiasm, passion and people who want the orchestra to appeal to a wide audience, whether that be through traditional pieces or new, edgy shows.”
Barbara says it is this diversity within the programme that keeps Auckland coming back to shows.

“Over the years we’ve built up a strong connection to the community of Auckland – it’s what we pride ourselves on,” she says. “We have a number of APO faithful who come to every one of our shows, but we are seeing new faces more and more. Not everyone comes from a music background and that’s what makes our audiences great; in fact, people new to the APO or new to classical music tend to have some of the strongest reactions to the shows.”

Barbara recommends all Aucklanders (and visitors to Auckland) see an APO show to experience the “huge range of emotions” felt whilst watching an orchestra play.

“If you go to a big orchestral works, you’ll be transported into another world for three hours. Your emotions are taken all over the place – it can be uplifting and it can be devastating.

“Going to an APO show one of the few times in your life you get to sit and be with your own thoughts in a wonderful, unique and inspiring environment. There have been plenty of times where I’ve come out of a show having solved problems – the music unleashes something.

“Come along and see one of our works this year. APO’s shows are enjoyable events for the community of Auckland. We’d love you to come and share in the experience with us.”