Last-Minute Cancellations For Yo-Yo Ma!

LAST-MINUTE CANCELLATIONS FOR YO-YO MA!

The Phoenix Symphony to auction released seats to May 22 concert on eBay

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Symphony announced today that any tickets that become available from last-minute cancellations for its upcoming concert with the internationally-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be released for auction on eBay.  The concert, which will be held on May 22 in Symphony Hall at 75 N. 2nd Street in Phoenix, is currently sold-out.  Any tickets that become available between now and May 18 will be held in reserve for the auction. 

The auction will be conducted through online seller eBay beginning at noon on Friday, May 18 and will close at noon, Monday, May 21.  Bidders will be able to connect to the auction through a link on the main page of www.phoenixsymphony.org, or via the eBay website — www.ebay.com — by searching for “Phoenix Symphony Yo-Yo Ma tickets” on the homepage.

Phoenix Symphony President & CEO Maryellen Gleason said the auction was a first for the organization.

"As a nonprofit organization we are always trying to brainstorm new ways to raise money to support our artistic goals," said Gleason. "The new entrepreneurial technologies available on the Internet allow for such ingenuity, and we are pleased we can take advantage of this to post these few available seats for the public to bid on."

The Symphony has used a variety of innovative technology to promote its concerts over the years, including starting one of the earliest online ticket selling programs through its website.  Under the leadership of Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie, the Symphony has also implemented a program of interactive concert notes, Keeping Score.

Revenue from the ticket auction will go to support a variety of Symphony programs, including its well-regarded education programs with students Valley-wide, including: a collaboration with the Salt-River Pima Indian Community, One Nation; the Armonía program with NFL-Yet College Preparatory Academy for underserved and low-income students in South Phoenix; and the Symphony's premiere program for young people, the 45-minute educational concerts for students, Symphony for the Schools.  With a budget of more than $10 million, The Phoenix Symphony is the largest performing arts organization in the state of Arizona.

Tickets for Yo-Yo Ma sold out shortly after the announcement of the concert, with Phoenix Symphony season ticket holders receiving first opportunity to purchase the tickets in spring of 2006.

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The Phoenix Symphony's 2007-08 Media Sponsors are The Arizona Republic and KAET.