Your generous transformative support and partnership has made it possible for us to continue our Mission of Transforming All Lives Through Music! 

We are serious about continuing our efforts to properly manage our change to a sustainable model. To guide us, SMSO engaged the help of Kay Walvoord, former President & CEO of the Holland Symphony Orchestra. Through the 35+ years of her leadership, the HSO successfully built financial resources to support sold out audiences. 

Our turnaround is not solely a revenue issue – managing cost is equally important. We are also driving sustainability by rightsizing how we run the Symphony. The SMSO has begun: 

• Reducing its current budget by up to $250,000 through cost savings and better practices.
• Building back relationships, one by one, of ticket buyers and individual/corporate donors.
• Recruiting volunteers needed to make events and projects possible.
• Seeking out new members to join the board with skills to assist this working group.

This rebuild has produced successful returns over the last two years as Music Director Matthew Aubin and President and CEO Jessica Ishmael have rejuvenated the organization and its contribution to our musical life in SW Michigan by:

• Broadening our audience increasing attendance by 42% and ticket sales by 94%.
• Engaging 1,093 third and fourth grade students from 15 Berrien County schools with our free Education concert, sparking light in children from all walks of life.
• Increasing shared music experiences in more Berrien County communities through our Pop Up! series, collaborating with new groups including Lest We Forget and Benton Harbor’s Juneteenth Celebration.
• A dramatic positive turnaround in our relationship with our union musicians.
• Reconnecting with former supporters and sponsors, and:
• Growing grant and foundation support, including an innovative new project to use music to support mental health in our community.

By working together, we can continue our mission to Transform All Lives Through Music for many more years to come!