We have all read and heard about the reduced federal funding for the arts anticipated in this and future years. That reduction will have a cascading impact on state and local arts councils that have historically provided significant financial support to the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. It is thus imperative that the MSO develop alternative financial streams from individual, commercial, foundation and other sources. Although we are unaware of the actual decrease in public funding that the MSO will suffer, we have decided to aggressively pursue those other funding sources. The MSO has also re-imagined its Benefactors’ Program, instituted for the first time last season, by offering MSO supporters TWO ways to assist the MSO as valued “Benefactors” for the 2025-26 season.

FIRST, the Program will continue to encourage supporters to become Benefactors by making a financial gift at designated levels between $1,000 and $20,000. SECOND, a supporter can now also become a Benefactor by sponsoring a principal musician of the Orchestra. The MSO has 13 such principal positions, including the Associate Concertmaster. These sponsorship opportunities are valued at $5,000 for each principal musician, with the exception of the Concertmaster whose sponsorship is $10,000.

As a “thank you” for such support, the Orchestra plans to list its Benefactors in the season’s concert program brochures and host Benefactors at a cocktail party or similar occasion early in the Season.

We are also sharing with potential Benefactors the Orchestra’s detailed costs of operation and the shortfall in revenue in the hope that this insight will inspire our supporters to join us as Benefactors. We are confident that, together, we can reduce the impact of reduced funding and continue to ensure the financial health of the MSO.

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT FROM THE MSO

By helping ensure the financial viability of the MSO, the Orchestra supporters can look forward to the MSO continuing to enrich the communities in which it performs and bind those communities together through the shared experience of high-quality symphonic performances. Studies have shown that a symphony orchestra substantially adds to the health and spirit of a community. Through the support requested here, the MSO will also be able to continue to contribute a sense of vitality and creativity to our communities through, among other things, the energy that Michael Repper, the MSO’s Grammy Award-winning Music Director/Conductor, brings to his position and has instilled in the musicians. As MSO supporters know, Maestro Repper excels in conducting the Orchestra in performing the classical symphonic works we all love from the well-known composers whose names we all know. But his programs also expose us to various cultures that we might not otherwise encounter – by performing works of less well known but accomplished composers, including women and minorities, and engaging vocal and musician soloists from diverse backgrounds.

FINANCIAL PICTURE FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON

The Board has again adopted a conservative budget for the 2025-26 Season that nonetheless forecasts a need for $31,000 in additional funds, a shortfall that will only be exacerbated by the as yet unknown reduction in public funding.

The coming Season’s budget is based on the following overall anticipated expenses and income:

• Expenses – $486,000

• Income – $455,000

• Shortfall -- $31,000

On a concert-by-concert basis, our average budgeted Masterworks concert expense is $41,000, with individual concerts ranging from $34,000 to $62,000. Our Ensemble performances average $9,500, with costs ranging from $8,000 to $11,000. The breakdown of the MSO’s expenses for the upcoming Season can perhaps best be demonstrated by the “Budgeted 2025-26 Expenses” pie chart below. The Orchestra’s major categories of expenses are:

• Musicians’ compensation - $193,000

• Venue rental - $36,500

• Hotel expenses - $27,500

• Musicians’ travel stipend - $21,500

• Soloists - $15,500

• Miscellaneous operating expenses - $192,000

EXPENSES

FORECASTED INCOME

The Income chart shows that projected revenue from grant awards accounts for 14% of our income, the third largest income source. This is the revenue bucket that the Board anticipates will suffer from the reduction in public support for the arts. To help offset that funding decrease, the Board has adopted an aggressive grant application strategy that significantly expands the organizations to which we submit funding applications. This public funding uncertainty underscores the importance of continuing our Benefactor level of giving from last Season and adding the principal musician sponsorship opportunity this year.

BENEFACTOR SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

For those Benefactors who decide to sponsor a principal musician, the sponsorships are, again, $5,000 for each principal, except for the Concertmaster whose sponsorship is $10,000. The MSO’s plan is to acknowledge the sponsors by listing their names immediately under the musician’s name in the concert program brochures, like so as an example:

Kimberly McCollum

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. John Doe

Sponsors will also enjoy reserved seating at the concerts.

To include a Benefactor’s name in our initial concert program brochure, we need the selected donation or commitment by September 5. Benefactor contributions are welcome throughout the season and will be acknowledged in subsequent brochures.

The MSO Board greatly appreciates your consideration of becoming a Benefactor.

With sincere thanks for your support,

Board of Directors

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra

In the donation options, select “Other Amount” and enter the total dollar amount of your Benefactor pledge.

1. Scroll down to the section labeled “I would like to be recognized in the following way.”

2. In the text box provided, type “Benefactor’s Pledge Intention” followed by how you would like to be listed (for example, “John and Mary Smith – Gold Benefactor”).

3. Complete the rest of the donation form and submit.