By Peter Kjome, President and CEO
July 27th, 2023
Dear Friends,
This is a time of innovation, change, and progress, and it is with a spirit of gratitude that I share this update with you.
As Arizona’s largest performing arts organization, the Phoenix Symphony plays a vital role in our city and the broader region. Each year, the Symphony reaches an economically and ethnically diverse group of over 200,000 people in concert halls, schools, health care settings, and other venues across the Valley.
Our upcoming 2023-24 Season is outstanding, and our community’s response has been inspiring. We are making exciting progress on the journey to rebuild our audience – and are delighted to report that tickets sold through subscription have already exceeded last year’s total!
You will not want to miss the wonderful concerts in our 77th season, and we invite you to join us as a series subscriber to enjoy exceptional music and receive the many benefits that come with this special relationship.
We are collaborating to provide extraordinary musical experiences that inspire and advance our community, enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds. As part of these efforts, the Symphony and our superb musicians reached agreement on a new contract. Our musicians live and work in our community, and many have been members of our orchestra for decades. We are also delighted to announce the appointment of our new concertmaster following an extensive national search.
Your attendance, advocacy, and support have fostered an ensemble that is one of Arizona’s greatest cultural assets. As we look toward the future, we know that the year ahead will be one of the most important in our history, and carrying forward the plans and programs of the Phoenix Symphony in partnership with our community will affect the trajectory of our organization for many years to come.
Despite substantial challenges ahead, I am optimistic. With the leadership of our Board of Directors – and the steadfast commitment of visionary leaders who care deeply about the Symphony and its important role serving our community – we are making progress on the path toward financial sustainability. Together, this can and will be done.
Whether you are a lifelong resident of Phoenix and Arizona, or a more recent arrival like me, this is your Symphony. Thank you for your passion and engagement that is essential to sustaining and advancing one of Arizona’s most important cultural assets. If you have comments, I invite you to contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Peter Kjome, President & CEO
