The Philadelphia Orchestra has just declared bankruptcy. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is emerging from a bruising, six-month strike. The orchestras of Honolulu and Syracuse have folded in recent months. Many communities are left wondering: what's the prognosis for my local symphony?

But while many American orchestras face great challenges, a hopeful note can be found in the groups that are exploring new models of presentation, recording and community engagement.

In an effort to better understand the state of the American orchestra and where it's headed, WQXR welcomes four people working deep in the trenches:

Anne Parsons, President and Executive Director of the Detroit Symphony
Alan Pierson, Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Eric Jacobsen, Co-Artistic Director of The Knights
Tony Woodcock, President of the New England Conservatory
Raymond M. Hair, Jr., President of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada

Graham Parker, the Vice President of WQXR moderates