The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra is seeking $150,000 in donations by March 30, 2025 to qualify for a one-time matching grant to erase the Symphony’s existing deficit and prepare for its 75th Anniversary Season in 2025-26.
“Like many arts organizations, we’ve struggled post-pandemic. We’ve had to reduce the number of orchestra performances offered and production costs keep rising,” said Jessica Ishmael, Executive Director.
“In addition to the pandemic impacting concert programs and donor relationships, our Symphony League fundraising organization disbanded. It was the ‘perfect storm’ – key personnel and board members retired and fundraising slowed just as new leadership and staff came aboard. Reserve funds became the bridge to continue programming,” she added.
Ishmael and Dr. Matthew Aubin, Music Director and Conductor, were hired in 2022, and their synergy has been positive for the Symphony, according to the SMSO board.
The reintroduction of the Education Concert after a 15-year hiatus engaged 1,093 third and fourth graders from 15 Berrien County schools. Recent significant growth in concert attendance and increased ticket sales are key indicators of renewed traditional support and new audience interest.
SMSO engaged Kay Walvoord, former President & CEO of the Holland Symphony Orchestra, to evaluate the organization and recommend strategic actions to build towards a sustainable future.
According to Walvoord, “The organization’s more recent positive changes are a strength but donations, particularly from local businesses and corporations, are lagging. The Symphony can survive if its deficit can be erased and the organization carefully right-sizes its future along with financial support from individuals, foundations and area businesses. The larger community has to choose to support the symphony.”
“The matching grant opportunity is an area-wide call to action,” explains Bill Downey, SMSO Board President. “There are so many ways to help with erasing the deficit and moving forward.”
- Individuals can donate to the deficit reduction campaign and buy tickets
- Individuals can also become SMSO volunteers for concerts, fundraisers, and other activities
- New audiences can be introduced to the SMSO when current ticket holders invite friends and family to a performance
- Businesses can financially underwrite musicians, guest artists and concerts as Sponsors
- Businesses can use new ticket-voucher options to invite employees or clients to performances under the restructured Sponsor Program
- Foundations can create a larger gift by providing a multi-year grant for both debt reduction and programming sustainability
Originally established as the “Twin City Symphonic Society” in 1951, the SMSO is the oldest professional arts organization in southwest Michigan.
“We have a tremendous history,” says Conductor Aubin. “If the southwest Michigan Community can help us make this stretch to the other side, there is a bright future ahead for SMSO’s next 75 years and beyond as we continue our mission of Transforming All Lives Through Music.”
