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Leon Botstein, the music director of the American Symphony Orchestra in the Upper West Side, believes orchestral music should not be a luxury.

"People always say classical music has no audience, but classical music has no audience if its $100 a seat, or $55 or $75," says Botstein.

So in light of the financial crisis, Botstein saw an opportunity. For the American Symphony Orchestra's upcoming season, Botstein launched an initiate to make all seats for all performances cost $25.

"It seems to be the moment to try to democratize the access to an art form which has always been accused of being elitist," says Botstein.

Last season, the orchestra's ticket price ranged from $28 to $57. With this new low-cost ticket offer, Botstein says the orchestra is returning to its roots.

"This orchestra was founded in 1962 when Lincoln Center was built and the people who founded it - it was originally in Carnegie Hall - said this should be music for the people, the American orchestra for people," says Botstein. "They charged practically nothing for people to come, in order to encourage people to go to the concerts, and it worked."

Botstein says continued support from donors can help to sustain the $25 tickets. He adds the real success of the program will depend on the demand from the audiences.

"The thing that has to be proven is that people want to hear music," says Botstein.

This season, audiences can expect different types of music at the orchestra's performances at Peter Norton's Symphony Space and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln center.

"Ranging from an opera about Celtic mythology to one of the most experimental world music advocates - Henry Cowell, the American composer, who was a terrific innovator," says Botstein.

The American Symphony Orchestra's new season kicks off on Wednesday, October 14. For more information, visit www.americansymphony.org.