National Philharmonic Fights To Survive, Races To Raise $150K

BETHESDA, MD — As the threat of closure looms, the National Philharmonic is mounting one last-gasp attempt to stay afloat.

The esteemed orchestra — which has been struggling financially in recent years — has launched a campaign to raise $150,000 by July 31.

Based out of North Bethesda's Music Center at Strathmore, the National Philharmonic announced last week that it would cease operations, costing more than 130 union musicians and staff their jobs. Employees cite sluggish ticket sales and donations during the 2018-19 season, and decreased funding from the Montgomery County Council, as reasons for their struggles.

Montgomery County has given the National Philharmonic more than $2.5 million in the last decade, but has rejected the group's request for an additional $150,000 in the fiscal year 2020 budget.

To save itself, the orchestra has launched an online petition called "Save the National Philharmonic."

"We need $150,000 by July 31, 2019," the petition reads.

The deadline is less than a week away, but there is hope.

National Philharmonic violinist Jim Kelly says he has already secured more than enough money.

"When I learned of the impending financial failure of the National Philharmonic, I decided that I cannot sit back and let that happen," Kelly said in an emailed statement to WTOP.

While he wouldn't go into specifics, Kelly told the news outlet that he has secured at least $270,000 in cash pledges.

"The effort does not involve any further assistance from the county government," he said.

The National Philharmonic credits itself as the largest and most active professional orchestra based in Montgomery County. Since 2005, the group has performed more than 100 classical music events at the Music Center at Strathmore.

SEE ALSO:

• National Philharmonic Closes Its Curtains Due To Financial Woes