MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
IN RESIDENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Our Vision
Transform our community through the power of music.
Our Mission
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) exists to enrich the lives of our diverse community through exceptional music and dynamic programs.
A vibrant orchestra has the ability to transform a city.
Collaborations with other artistic groups have never
By investing in highly-trained professional musicians,
been stronger. The MSO’s role in shaping young minds
who choose to make Memphis their home and become
through music education is central to our mission, and
a part of our community, you are making an investment
has naturally evolved into an innovative partnership
in a catalyst for positive change.
with the University of Memphis. Communities,
MSO musicians serve as leaders in the artistic community, and often the community as a whole. Their unique role is an expansion of music’s core purpose – to bring people together. Memphis deserves a thriving resident orchestra. 2
cultures, and generations are connected through MSO programming and efforts around intentional inclusion have expanded the MSO’s circle. A sound fiscal model ensures today’s resources will feed tomorrow’s mission.
The future is a thriving orchestra that reflects our diverse community, allowing connections that were previously impossible. The future is a fully-endowed core orchestra that ensures the artists always endure. The future is a group of musicians with a dual job description that use their skill to connect both on and off the stage. The future sounds beautiful and you can help us get there.
With gratitude, Peter Abell President & CEO, Memphis Symphony Orchestra Robert Moody Music Director , Memphis Symphony Orchestra Ashley Remmers Chair 2020-2022, Board of Directors
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INVEST IN YOUR MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
AN ORCHESTRA MOVING TO MEMPHIS’ BEAT 4
hrough The Future is Now campaign, our investors will ensure that the MSO will continue to serve future generations of larger and more diverse audiences. Together, we can inspire more Memphians through the power of music, whether that be at an MSO performance at the Cannon Center, through an expanded partnership with the University of Memphis, at a Tunes and Tales performance in Orange Mound, or through performances with Opera Memphis.
MSO will deliver five key project outcomes: • Lead Memphis’ rich and vibrant arts community • Inspire our community’s young minds during their formative years • Bridge generations, cultures and our Memphis communities • Establish a national model partnership with the University of Memphis • Bolster our financial portfolio to fully support organizational and artistic permanency
Phase I: Stabilization & Quiet Phase Campaign 2015-2019 • Raised $25M for endowment and annual operating budget • Rebuilt the Board of Directors with new and diverse leadership • Established a new leadership team, including hiring a CEO, Music Director and Assistant Conductor • Expanded orchestra role to 70% performance and 30% education and community engagement • Increased ticket and annual fundraising revenue
Phase II: The Future is Now Campaign 2020-2022 • Raise $10M in endowment funds • Solidify framework for musician compensation • Launch U of M / MSO Fellowship Program and nurture its growth • Identify institutional support for educational programs
Phase III: 2023 Forward • Raise $20M in endowment funds • Create a fully endowed orchestra • Elevate musician salary levels comparable to peer cities • Create a new model to employ musicians with a dual job description in both performance and teaching
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IN THIS PHOTO: New Ballet Ensemble with the MSO at the Levitt Shell
INVEST IN YOUR MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
LEAD MEMPHIS’ RICH AND VIBRANT ARTS COMMUNITY 6
IN THIS PHOTO: David Porter Tribute Concert
art of the MSO’s history and mission has been to enhance other artistic institutions. By serving as the official orchestra for other arts organizations, including Ballet Memphis, New Ballet Ensemble, Opera Memphis and the Rhodes College Master Singers Chorale, MSO bridges the rich arts community in Memphis. As a resident orchestra, we are able to provide live music for our arts partners at a much lower cost. The relationship between MSO and its partners is unique to Memphis. By working together, we yield a far greater impact than what one organization can accomplish on their own. Our musicians are more than extraordinary performers playing in our world class concert hall ‒ they are teaching artists. Some of our artists audition to play here ‒ and make an active decision to move to the Mid-South. As Memphis residents, our artists are also active in the community as coaches, mentors and performers for the Mid-South, giving lessons, playing at weddings, leading healing drum circles, mentoring young talent and performing at memorials and celebrations. They play a vital role in the cultural fabric of our Memphis community. As we move forward with The Future is Now campaign, we have secured the leadership of two very talented individuals who are ensuring our evolutionary programmatic growth. Robert Moody is celebrating his third season as Music Director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Kalena Bovell, our newly-appointed Assistant Conductor, joined in the 2019-2020 season. MSO provides a robust array of programs to share our gift of music and the transformative benefits it offers.
Memphis is a city with so much to offer – some of the best music and food in the world, great sports teams, job opportunities, and a strong arts community. The fact that we have a world-class orchestra right here in Memphis – a music town – gives our citizens a chance to experience sounds from some of the world’s top performers. I’m excited about the future of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and wholeheartedly support this effort to secure its future. Jim Strickland – Mayor, City of Memphis 7
INVEST IN YOUR MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY’S YOUNG MINDS DURING THEIR FORMATIVE YEARS 8
IN THIS PHOTO: Orff Side by Side Concert at Idlewild Elementary
usic and arts development nurtures young minds; through this campaign, we are ready to take on a larger role in community education. Our MSO programs engage children in unique experiences that are critical in developing the whole child. Ultimately, we are creating pathways to prepare our community’s youth for success in their educational careers and for their adult life.
As a result of The Future is Now campaign, we envision… • Expanding the existing Shelby County Schools Orff Program collaboration that brings elementary music educators together from across the school system to create a curriculum that culminates in a concert with all students performing with the full orchestra • Continuing the Tunes & Tales program that combines a children’s story book with live music to show how words, images and music can tell a story • Enhancing our work in schools and libraries across the Mid-South
2019 by the Numbers
Playing a story to children is maybe one of the most magical things I can do as a musician. The minute their faces respond, the magic begins. Marisa Polesky – Assistant Concertmaster, Memphis Symphony Orchestra
15,921
112
Students Engaged
Educational Performances
356
53
Coaching & Mentoring Sessions
Performance Locations
When considering the value of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s educational programs, it is important also to keep in mind the obstacles that parents in our district (Shelby County) face which deprives families the opportunity and means to experience a symphony concert. These programs’ unique and engaging experiences are critical to our success in developing the whole child and preparing students for college, career and life readiness. Wincle Sterling – Fine Arts Advisor, Shelby County Schools
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IN THIS PHOTO: Hattiloo Theatre with the MSO
INVEST IN YOUR MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
BRIDGE GENERATIONS, CULTURES AND OUR MEMPHIS COMMUNITIES 10
IN THIS PHOTO: Founding Music Director, Vincent de Frank and Issac Hayes
t its core, music is about bringing people together ‒ bridging communities, institutions, and generations. The MSO has developed an identity for creating programs that entertain and stretch the understanding of how an orchestra can present a story. From the Sunset Symphony to a residency in Soulsville to bringing thousands of Memphians downtown each year, the MSO has a long history of connecting people across our community. Whether it is using music to tell a story at Tunes and Tales, the use of Senegalese drummers in a concerto, an authentic “mash-up” of Stravinsky and the blues of Robert Johnson or performing with Memphis’s own Al Kapone, the MSO connects people by offering programs that challenge, entertain, inspire and connect. We enhance other institutions, amplifying their missions and introducing the Symphony to other audiences. Recent programming like the December 2019 Magic of Memphis Holiday Spectacular brought in new collaborative partners, including the Hattiloo Theatre, Stax Music Academy, and the Memphis Symphony Chorus. The MSO also partners with the business community to develop Leading from Every Chair, an innovative leadership development program. The MSO’s history is built on the support
Music is the one great thing that can unite all people. Live music is very special, no matter how it is delivered, and the challenge to connect with the entire community is the reason I wanted to be in Memphis. Robert Moody – Music Director, Memphis Symphony Orchestra
of generations of families, MSO musicians, volunteers, and staff. That history of sharing music with children, grandchildren and friends instills the importance of music and art to better our lives and our communities.
Making Memphis my physical home has meant reconnecting with my family history, and getting immense pleasure out of getting to add to that history. Adam Sadberry – Acting Principal Flute, Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Adam’s grandfather L. Alex Wilson was a former editor of the Tri-State Defender)
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IN THIS PHOTO: Rendering of the new Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis
INVEST IN YOUR MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
ESTABLISH A NATIONAL MODEL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS 12
Our groundbreaking partnership – launched in 2016 – with the University of Memphis (U of M) stands to become a national model for sustaining and redefining regional orchestras via strong university partnerships. We are building a unique partnership model with three areas of focus: 1. Music performance 2. Music training and outreach 3. Music and arts-centered civic and community development Over time, we will create an artistic center of gravity on campus that will position us as leaders in academic musical study and its real-world application.
To date, we have: •
Completed our move to campus, allowing us to build a musical home in the university’s epicenter
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Established the U of M/MSO Fellowship, an unparalleled two-year program for graduate and postgraduate violin, viola, and cello players of African American and Latinx heritage
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Moved the Classic Accents series on-campus at Harris Hall
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Hosted guest master classes for University students
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Hired U of M students for paid administrative internships
Completion of The Future is Now campaign will yield other benefits: •
Creation of a “cradle-to-career” conservatory with a pre-eminent music school and one-stop shop resource for aspiring musicians, where study and community programming intersect
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Completion of the Scheidt Family Music Center (estimated in 2021) will bring more music patrons to the heart of campus, and provide robust musical programming opportunities, including professional, community and student performances
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Addition of more masterclasses and clinics with visiting artists will enhance the student educational experience
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Expansion of MSO administrative internships for music business majors will provide relevant professional experience for the next generation of arts administrators This unprecedented partnership will bring wonderful opportunities for both our students and our faculty in the U of M Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. The collaboration is a model for future relationships between professional symphonies and universities across the country. The University of Memphis is fortunate and honored to be partnered with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. It's great for the city, great for the symphony and great for the University of Memphis. M. David Rudd – President, University of Memphis 13
IN THIS PHOTO: MSO Music Director, Robert Moody
INVEST IN YOUR MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
BUILDING A SOUND FINANCIAL PORTFOLIO 14
MSO Aims to Fully Support Organizational and Artistic Permanency
Orchestras have three primary sources of revenue:
In 2017, key supporters who believed in the
Performance Revenue
new leadership and our compelling vision raised
Ticket sales, contract services
$1 million for each of the next three seasons (2017-2018 through 2019-2020) to ensure the
Contributed Revenue
continuance of our musical legacy, while a new
Annual gifts from individuals, businesses, foundations, grants
endowment of $20 million could be put in place to solidify our next steps. This launched the quiet phase of The Future is Now campaign, with
Investment Income
the goal to create an endowment which would
Earnings from permanent endowment funds
provide the stability/foundation for our vision of future programmatic goals. Our next phase will allow MSO to build operational success through endowment funding. Completion of Phase II of The Future is Now campaign will allow MSO to ensure a 70%
Ticket revenue and contributions can fluctuate depending upon economic circumstances and local conditions. A carefully managed endowment ensures long-term stability.
performance and 30% education and community engagement ratio. By serving as the official orchestra for other arts organizations, including
National Best Practice
17% Investment Income
Ballet Memphis, New Ballet Ensemble, Opera
40% Performance Revenue
Memphis and the Rhodes College Master
43% Contributed Revenue
Singers Chorale, MSO continues to bridge the rich arts community in Memphis. The MSO will continue to serve as leaders in the community, in schools, libraries and other venues, growing the continuum of learning.
MSO Before Campaign: No Endowment with $4M budget
1% Investment Income 25% Performance Revenue 74% Contributed Revenue
The Chamber describes Memphis as a oneof-a-kind city that continues to change the world. This is especially true of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and we are excited to see the positive momentum. A vibrant arts community is essential to grow, attract and retain businesses and talent to our region. We can certainly count on the MSO as a leader in that area.
MSO After Campaign: $30M Endowment with $4.5M budget
25% Investment Income 32% Performance Revenue 43% Contributed Revenue
Beverly Robertson – CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce
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JOIN US! INVEST IN YOUR MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTR A The vision of the FUTURE IS NOW Campaign is to transform the Memphis Symphony Orchestra into the most relevant orchestra in the United States. Join us and play a major role in the future of your Memphis Symphony Orchestra. By making an investment in the MSO, you are making an investment in our community, our children and our future. Together, we will share music and shape the future!
WWW.MEMPHISSYMPHONY.ORG
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INFO@MEMPHISSYMPHONY.ORG
610 GOODMAN ST, MEMPHIS, TN 38111
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901-537-2525