National Philharmonic Saved By Donations, Under New Leadership

BETHESDA, MD — The National Philharmonic musician who raised more than $300,000 in an effort to save the esteemed orchestra will take over as president, according to multiple news outlets.

Jim Kelly, a violinist and co-owner of Potter Violins, offered to give financial assistance to the North Bethesda-based orchestra last month on the condition he would become head of the organization. On Saturday, National Philharmonic leaders formally accepted Kelly's proposal and elected him as president, according to Bethesda Beat.

It's the latest development in the desperate, month-long fight to keep the National Philharmonic open.

On July 16, the orchestra announced it would cease operations after years of financial woes.

"It is with great sadness that I must report that the National Philharmonic has to shut its doors," National Philharmonic President Leanne Ferfolia said in a media release. "We have been an important and integral part of the community and a service to Montgomery County residents, especially the thousands of young people who were able to attend our concerts with their families for free."

As the county's biggest classical music orchestra, the National Philharmonic holds dozens of performances a year at the Music Center at Strathmore.

But in recent years, the National Philharmonic has struggled financially. 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.

Two weeks after the National Philharmonic announced it was closing its doors, the orchestra launched an online petition called "Save the National Philharmonic."

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

Before the July 31 deadline, the orchestra received hundreds of donations. During this time, Kelly ran another fundraiser and secured more than $300,000, bringing the total amount raised to more than $500,000, WJLA reports.

But, there was a catch. In order to get all the money, the orchestra had to remove Eskelsen as board chair and appoint Kelly as president.

Kelly told DCist that some members of the board were open to his proposal. He also said that musicians refused to play if there wasn't a change in leadership.

On Saturday, the National Philharmonic voted to accept Kelly's proposal.

SEE ALSO:

• National Philharmonic Closes Its Curtains Due To Financial Woes
• National Philharmonic Fights To Survive, Races To Raise $150K
• National Philharmonic Survives Another Season