Symphony NH reports 26 percent revenue growth since 2015

NASHUA, NH – Symphony NH is experiencing a crescendo of growth, thanks to the public’s continued appreciation for the fine art of music.

A summary of its 2017-18 finances with comparisons to the previous two seasons were presented at the inaugural Annual Meeting on September 18, 2018. The orchestra, now entering its 95^th season, demonstrated growth in contributed revenue and ticket sales over the past three seasons. The meeting, led by Executive Director Marc Thayer and Board President Robert Oot, covered a summary of the 2017-18 season, as well as sharing updates on growing staff, the addition of four new trustees, community and education programs, the 2018-19 concert season, and the ongoing Music Director Search, predicted to close Spring 2019.

Symphony New Hampshire experienced a 26 percent increase in total revenue over the past three seasons. Symphony New Hampshire experienced a 19 percent increase in contributed revenue and, in contrast to the national trend, a substantial 32 percent increase in ticket sales. Thayer announced the increase in revenue enabled Symphony New Hampshire to pay off all loans in full and to begin the new season in a strong financial position. The orchestra is projected to further increase expenses during the 2018-19 season to accommodate additional performances coming to Nashua and Concord. In addition, the increased budget enables the orchestra to expand its community and education programs including Link Up, a partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute to teach students to play recorder throughout the year, culminating in a performance at Keefe Center for the Arts.

During the annual meeting, Thayer introduced the nine finalists in the two-year Music Director Search: Lidiya Yankovskaya, Eric Garcia, Sameer Patel, Scott Parkman, Thomas Heuser, Enrico Lopez-Yañez, Roger Kalia, Stefano Sarzani, and Yuga Cohler. Symphony NH has launched a webpage dedicated to providing information about the Music Director search. Concert attendees will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about the guest conductor after every concert in an online survey. More information about the Music Director Search can be found at symphonynh.org/music-director-search.

Thayer announced the addition of four new trustees to the Symphony NH Board of Directors: Shoshanna Kelly, creative director of Kelly Creative Advertising and Alderwoman for the city of Nashua, Amir Toosi, Dean of Rivier University’s Division of Business, Mark Tremallo, retired corporate lawyer, and Dr. Paul Urbanek, orthopaedic surgeon at Concord Orthopaedics. The Symphony NH staff and orchestra also grew by several members in the past year, adding two violas to the orchestra and various additional staff to the administration.

Symphony New Hampshire will begin its 95^th season on September 29^th at Keefe Center for the Arts, Nashua and September 30^th at Concord City Auditorium, Concord to perform Mozart Impresario Overture, O’Connor Fiddle Concerto and Strings and Threads Suite, and Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 featuring Grammy Award-winning violinists Mark and Maggie O’Connor with guest conductor and Music Director Finalist Scott Parkman. For tickets and information, call (603) 595-9156 or visit symphonynh.org.