Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Dear MSO Friends:

Let’s talk about the future. We have collectively been through and learned so much these last few years — and have changed as a result. As we have changed, so must we ensure our organizations evolve for the future.

Through these last few years, we have been reminded that certain truths remain: Music brings people together. Capacity crowds overfilled the Sunset Symphony concerts at the Overton Park Shell and other outdoor venues. The MSO and our arts partners found new and creative ways to make art for our community. Music is transformative. Even during the height of the pandemic, the MSO reached record numbers of children through our educational partnerships. And audiences were uplifted by performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the Memphis debut of opera superstar Renée Fleming. The public is more interested in high level music and community centered programming than ever before.

However, the pandemic has also altered the long-term financial position of the MSO through changes in patron expectations and behaviors. Like other performing arts organizations, regular concert attendance has not yet recovered, corporate and foundation support has stagnated, all while expenses have increased along with inflation. Without new support from corporate and individual philanthropy and new partnerships with public and private institutions, the MSO will waste a groundswell of interest in ensuring the future of our community's resident orchestra.

How will the MSO align these seemingly disconnected realities?

Given this environment, we knew it was imperative to examine every aspect of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony is enormously grateful to the Tennessee Arts Commission for their support of our organization through the Nonprofit Arts & Culture Recovery Fund. This three year grant allowed the Symphony to remain in a holding pattern, of sorts, while we forge our pathway ahead. Building on meaningful reforms prior to the pandemic, we initiated a series of surveys, focus groups, and conversations with our stakeholders. We hosted musician, staff, and board retreats, and formed an ad-hoc Strategic Planning Working Group. These efforts took us to where we are today.

During the five-year period of this strategic plan, the MSO will celebrate its 75th season. While it is full of complex and difficult institutional changes, it grounds the MSO in its original purpose - to serve the community as Memphis’ orchestra for the next 75 years.

Please, join us in this effort.