Geoff over at The Exhibitionist pulls
a few key numbers out of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's new consultant study of its economic impact on the state. Including the Symphony, the Pops and Tanglewood, the BSO pays out $33 million in wages every year and $43 million on goods and services, out of a total $138 million in direct economic impact. The BSO report breaks out visitor spending separately, at $55.9 million annually for Suffolk County (home of Symphony Hall) and $24.5 million annually in Berkshire County (home of Tanglewood). There are some interesting factoids in the document. As a primary or secondary reason for rich people to maintain a second home in the Berkshires, the report says - OK, "rich" was me - "The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood play a direct role in generating approximately $2.3 million in property taxes for Berkshire County towns through second residences." Since this is a consultant report, of course it's impossible to make
all the numbers line up; 10 minutes with the .pdf and my brain hurts. Suffice to say classical music patrons are a well-heeled lot and unafraid to open their wallets. Hope so; as Geoff points out, the study is an early step in a huge BSO fund-raising campaign.
Pic: BSO/Michael Lutch
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