Santa Rosa Symphony 2018-2019 Season (and Fiscal Year) Review
In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the Santa Rosa Symphony topped records in single ticket sales, donations, school assemblies given by the SRS Institute for Music Education, and for the first time, had three of its Music Directors conducting during one season.
In a year of protracted struggles with natural disasters and rebuilding in our community, the Symphony increased its outreach efforts and held strong, knowing that music is essential to the wellbeing of the community.
“Going into our 92nd season, we look to sustain our vision to be one of the leading regional symphony orchestras in America, locally acclaimed and nationally recognized for community engagement, artistic vibrancy, educational leadership and fiscal sustainability,” said SRS President and CEO Alan Silow.
Top organizational highlights:
- Francesco Lecce-Chong began tenure as SRS fifth music director, conducting three Classical Series concerts and one Family Series concert
- Music Director Emeritus Jeffrey Kahane and Music Director Laureate Bruno Ferrandis conducted memorable concerts in the spring
- Strengthened the SRS Institute through more cohesive curriculum across all its youth orchestras and throughout its programs, and increased alignment with Santa Rosa Symphony programming
- Record number of Music for Our Schools program assembly performances
- Record level of single ticket sales for Classical Series
- Social Media presence soared with new consultancy
- Most successful gala fundraiser in 15-year history of such events, welcoming new music director
- Historic high for donations, accentuated by record level of board giving, and foundation and government grants
- Sixteenth consecutive year ending the fiscal year in the black
Santa Rosa Symphony enters its 92nd season with an ongoing commitment to community engagement and relevancy with a unique sense of what works and a focus to do what we do best – presenting outstanding concerts with a dynamic roster of beloved masterpieces, new works and outstanding soloists and the most comprehensive music education program in Northern California, all within a fiscally responsible context.
The 2019-2020 season opens with a gala celebration honoring beloved Sonoma County historian Gaye LeBaron and continues with the first season programmed and conducted by Music Director Francesco Lecce-Chong, which includes world-renowned artists, cherished classical works and two world premieres. Lecce-Chong, in spite of his increased demand nationally and duties as Music Director of Eugene Symphony, will also conduct two multimedia concerts co-produced with the Green Music Center this summer and the first 2019-2020 Family Series concert in the fall.
