The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance announced it will eliminate two Dayton Philharmonic concert series and scale back others for the 2026–27 season, citing long-term financial sustainability. The DPAA, which encompasses the Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Ballet, and Dayton Opera, will cut the SuperPops and Rockin’ Orchestra Series, and will consolidate the Masterworks Series to a single Saturday evening performance per program, with select titles also offered as a Sunday matinee.

Patrick J. Nugent, president and CEO of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, characterized the changes as “structural adjustments” taken to ensure “artistic excellence today and long-term stability for generations to come.” The DPAA said it would give affected subscribers clear options for the transition and publish additional season details ahead of a planned March launch. The organization also disclosed it has entered collective bargaining discussions with Philharmonic musicians for a new contract.

The American Federation of Musicians Local 101-473, representing the Philharmonic’s players, said it was “extremely disappointed” by the reductions and called the framing as “structural adjustments” misleading. The union demanded DPAA halt the program eliminations, engage musicians in financial and artistic planning, and negotiate in good faith, and launched a public petition in support of restoring the orchestra’s programming. More information is available at daytonperformingarts.org.

Source: Dayton Daily News