annual report 2009–10

boston symphony orchestra, inc.

celebrating 125 years of the boston pops

The 2009–10 Boston Symphony Orchestra season opened amidst worldwide economic uncertainty, as the financial crisis threatened the livelihood of arts organizations across the country. Although the situation remains challenging, we are pleased to report that the BSO has continued to fulfill its musical mission, which was made possible by the combined efforts of the BSO community—including our artists, donors, concertgoers, staff, and volunteers. The most important initiative that the BSO implemented during this time was the establishment of an Immediate Impact Funds campaign to provide critically needed transitional operating support to respond to a much-changed financial environment. Coupled with significant cost-reduction measures, the Funds provide multi-year operating support for our core activities and help mitigate declines in the level of income drawn from our endowment and from ticket sales. A $12 million fundraising initiative successfully completed through the generosity of many BSO Trustees and Overseers, the Immediate Impact Funds ensure that the BSO will continue to carry out its artistic mission from a position of financial stability during these challenging times. Artistically, under the leadership of Ray and Maria Stata Music Director James Levine and Julian and Eunice Cohen Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart, the BSO and Pops continue to deliver diverse musical programs performed at the highest standards of the art form. Last season also saw the 125th anniversary of the Boston Pops—the orchestra that originated the pops genre. Sadly, last year also marked the passing of BSO Chairman and Great Benefactor Edward H. Linde. Ed leaves a legacy of enthusiastic dedication of time, talent, and generosity. His extraordinary wisdom and unparalleled leadership serve as an inspiration as we carry on his remarkable work. Success in fulfilling our musical mission is a direct result of your investment in the orchestra as concertgoer, donor, and advocate, and for this, we are deeply grateful. We look forward to continued collaboration with you as we endeavor to extend the BSO's musical outreach in new ways to new audiences around the world. With sincere appreciation for your support,

Mark Volpe Eunice and Julian Cohen Managing Director

Cover Image: Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops tribute to the Kennedy Brothers beneath the National 9/11 Flag.

robert p. o'blockCo-Chairman

stephen b. KayCo-Chairman

Robert P. O'Block, Mark Volpe, Stephen B. Kay

The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc. engages more people in the remarkable variety and wonder of orchestral music than any other symphonic organization in the world. Through six different components—the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, Tanglewood, the Tanglewood Music Center, Symphony Hall, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus— the organization brings music into the lives of more than 18 million people every year. Unmatched in the size and scope of its activities, the BSO remains committed to making classical music of the highest quality accessible to audiences of all ages, from music classrooms in inner-city Boston to concert halls around the world. During the 2009-10 season, education and community outreach initiatives expanded, aided by technological innovations that give the organization’s offerings unprecedented reach. From live concerts at Symphony Hall, Tanglewood, and on tour, to the plethora of free offerings on the BSO’s hugely popular website, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc. continues to share a wealth of music with appreciative audiences around the world.

the boston symphony orchestra

For 129 years and counting, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has been at the forefront of artistic excellence and innovation. Under the leadership of Maestro James Levine in his sixth year as the Ray and Maria Stata Music Director, the orchestra’s programming during the 2009-10 season featured an engaging blend of music. Programs ranged from a concentrated cycle of the complete Beethoven symphonies, to three of the great symphonies of Mahler, to world and American premieres by some of the most eloquent voices in contemporary music—Elliott Carter, John Harbison, Peter Lieberson, and John Williams. This lively diversity continues to attract some of the world’s most acclaimed guest artists, as well as audiences old and new seeking to experience concerts that reflect cherished traditions while also speaking to the fast-changing world in which we live.

the boston pops celebrates its 125th anniversary

In its 125th year, “America’s Orchestra” continued to lead the way in programming that makes classical and popular music fun, accessible, and relevant to the rich multiplicity of contemporary life. Under the direction of Keith Lockhart, the Julian and Eunice Cohen Pops Conductor, the orchestra’s landmark season was built on its storied legacy of performing appealing programs that combine light symphonic fare, American classics, memorable hits from film and Broadway, and a wide variety of pop, jazz, indie rock, big band, and country music. In the process, the ensemble expanded what has become an unrivalled collection of popular music in orchestral arrangements. In commemoration of the Pops' 125th anniversary, the season highlighted the distinctive contributions of the orchestra’s three most influential conductors—Arthur Fiedler, Boston Pops Laureate Conductor John Williams, and Keith Lockhart—and included the commission of a major world premiere, The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers. Through recordings and broadcasts as well as live concerts around the United States, the Pops reached millions of music lovers this past year.

A B O V E L E F T T O R I G H T :

maestro James Levine conducts the BSo.

Keith Lockhart, Peter Boyer, Lynn ahrens, Cherry Jones, robert De Niro, ed Harris, and morgan Freeman during The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers.

O P P O S I T E P A G E :

The Boston Symphony orchestra performs at Symphony Hall.

representative Smitty Pignatelli, Speaker of the House robert DeLeo, Keith Lockhart, representative gloria Fox, representative John Keenan, and mark volpe at a massachusetts House of representatives resolution commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Boston Pops.

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the boston symphony orchestra

For 129 years and counting, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has been at the fore-front of artistic excellence and innovation. Under the leadership of Maestro James Levine in his sixth year as the Ray and Maria Stata Music Director, the orchestra’s program-ming during the 2009-10 season featured an engaging blend of music. Programs ranged from a concentrated cycle of the complete Beethoven symphonies, to three of the great symphonies of Mahler, to world and American premieres by some of the most eloquent voices in contemporary music—Elliott Carter, John Har-bison, Peter Lieberson, and John Williams. This lively diversity continues to attract some of the world’s most acclaimed guest artists, as well as audiences old and new seeking to experience concerts that reflect cherished traditions while also speaking to the fast-changing world in which we live.

From the notes on the page to the formal-wear on the players, symphonic music can often seem like a "black and white" affair. But there's a new color at Symphony Hall and Tanglewood of late: green—and it is evident in the many environmentally friendly initiatives that the BSO has recently implemented. The BSO has been hard at work to reduce its overall consumption of resources, and to use sustainable items wherever possible. In Boston, the BSO has ramped up its recycling efforts while installing energy efficient lighting and using eco-friendly cleaning agents in Symphony Hall. At Tanglewood, power-monitoring systems have been installed in many buildings throughout campus to track energy usage in real time and measure savings from ongoing energy conservation initiatives.

Meanwhile, the grounds are kept beautiful using more organic fertilizers and an on-site composting system. Both locations have also taken part in the BSO's new program book re-use initiative, which allows patrons to return their clean concert programs to be enjoyed by other concertgoers, reducing waste and printing costs. These are but a few of the many new eco-friendly initiatives that the BSO has implemented in recent years. When it comes to reducing its environmental impact, no stone has been left unturned at the BSO. In fact, even the report you hold in your hands has been printed on recycled paper at a print shop that is powered by solar energy. In all regards, the BSO is committed to our environment and helping to sustain our world for generations to come.

EnvironmEntal initiativEs takE root at thE Bso

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tanglewood Music center turns 70 Founded in 1940, the Tanglewood Music Center is unique in that it is the only summer music academy for advanced study that is part of a major symphony orchestra. The TMC provides the musical stars of tomorrow an opportunity to hone their professional skills under the guidance of some of the world’s most acclaimed instrumentalists, vocalists, conductors, and composers. For the summer of 2010, more than 1,500 applicants vied for 130 positions as TMC Fellows. During the season, the TMC presented 36 concerts in genres ranging from full orchestra to chamber music to opera, as well as the world-renowned Festival of Contemporary Music.

symphony hall

With its superb acoustics and architectural beauty, Symphony Hall is prized as one of the top three concert halls in the world. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000, it is not only the home of the BSO, but also a highly sought-after venue for a wide range of performers, from popular entertainers such as David Sedaris and Bobby McFerrin to renowned ensembles from around the world. During the 2009–10 season, Symphony Hall continued its long association with the Celebrity Series of Boston and the Handel & Haydn Society, and hosted a variety of other presentations as well.

A B O V E L E F T :

Tanglewood music Center Conducting Fellow Cristian macelaru conducts the TmC orchestra.

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the tanglewood festival chorus at 40 Founded in 1970 by conductor John Oliver, who holds the Alan J. and Suzanne W. Dworsky chair, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus celebrated its 40th anniversary during the 2009-10 season. The official chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the 280-member ensemble is composed entirely of highly skilled volunteer singers who audition for the privilege of lending their voices to some of the world’s great choral/symphonic masterpieces, like the 2009-10 season’s Stravinsky/Mozart program, Mahler’s powerful Resurrection Symphony, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. In addition to performing with the BSO in Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood, members of the TFC regularly perform with the Boston Pops and are a vital component of the Holiday Pops each year.

The BSO has relied on the assistance of volunteers for decades, but in 1984, a group of loyal and dedicated supporters of the BSO and Tanglewood first joined forces to ensure that all aspects of the BSO's many educational, service, and fundraising initiatives were top-notch. The Boston Symphony Association of Volunteers (BSAV) celebrated its silver anniversary in the 2009-10 season, and the thriving program shows no signs of slowing down. Though they may not receive the same attention as the musicians and conductors, members of the BSAV are nonetheless instrumental in helping the BSO carry out its musical mission. Their devoted and enthusiastic support is a sustaining element for the BSO, Pops, and Tanglewood. Members of the BSAV diligently dedicate hours upon hours to the behind-the-scenes elements for marquee events such as A Company Christmas at Pops, Presidents at Pops, Opening Nights, and the Tanglewood Wine and Food Classic, to name just a few.

BSAV members also play a vital role in many BSO initiatives and programs, such as the Instrument Playgrounds, flower decorating, exhibit docents, and the BSO membership table—among others. And if you've ever visited the Symphony Shop or Tanglewood Glass Houses, engaged the assistance of an usher at Tanglewood, or taken a tour of Symphony Hall or the Tanglewood campus, then you have likely encountered a member of the BSAV in action. During the 2009-10 season, some 850 volunteers donated more than 20,000 hours of their time in passionate support of the BSO. For the last 25 years, the BSAV has been a valued partner in helping the BSO maintain its legacy of musical excellence and sustain its community and educational outreach to spread the joy of music far and wide.

Boston symphony association of voluntEErs cElEBratEs 25 yEars

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school-BasED initiativEs

pErformancE-BasED initiativEs

education and community programs at the bso The Boston Symphony Orchestra's diverse educational initiatives have been a focus of the organization's mission since the BSO's original concerts for young people in 1888. Today, more than 35,000 youths participate in programs intended to make music accessible and engaging for young listeners, while the BSO’s community initiatives introduce classical music to people who might not otherwise experience such performances in person. Around the world, the BSO’s website, bso.org, engages more than 7 million people each year with interactive resources and tools for music appreciation and education.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is committed to supporting and strengthening music education in grades K-12 by partnering with area public schools. From visits by BSO musicians in classrooms to special resources the BSO provides to educators for curriculum planning and professional development, the BSO collaborates with educators to create music education initiatives that are best suited to today's diverse student population. the bso academy school initiative is a pilot program in conjunction with the Thomas A. Edison K-8 School in Brighton, MA, where music not only supports learning as part of the core curriculum, but also becomes an essential element for the larger school

Keeping live performances accessible and affordable is a central focus of the BSO's educational efforts. Through free community chamber concerts at churches and community venues throughout Greater Boston, the BSO reaches increasingly diverse and broad audiences. These concerts draw up to 500 listeners per performance and provide families with the opportunity to spend special time together. Each concert is followed by a casual reception and Q&A session with the musicians. The popular <40=$20 initiative, which offers $20 BSO concert tickets to patrons under

community. In addition to providing curriculum development expertise and professional development opportunities to faculty and staff, the BSO provides support for school-based instrument lessons and choral study, and arranges weekly performances for the student body by professional musicians in the Boston area. UBS is the BSO Academy's Lead Inaugural Sponsor. Musicians in the schools sends BSO musicians into classrooms for in-person demonstrations of the power of music through performance, as well as hands-on activities and other interactive exercises. These experiences give students an understanding of musical artistry, forging new connections to music and its relevance in their society and their world.

the age of 40, returned thanks to a generous contribution by an anonymous underwriter. Intended to make performances more affordable for students and young professionals, the program sold more than 11,000 tickets in 2009–10, which was an increase of 48 percent from the year before. For a one-time annual cost of $25, the bso college card gives college students the opportunity to attend 25 BSO concerts annually, opening the door to affordable, world-class performances. High school students can join the young Musician’s club for $15, which entitles them to attend up to 12 concerts with special pre-concert receptions

The award-winning education resource center provides educators with crucial resources to enrich their music education programs and tools to help them identify ways that music can enhance all classroom learning. Through school-based community partnerships in Cambridge, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lynn, Peabody, Worcester, and several Berkshire communities, the BSO helps empower teachers to become advocates for music education in their schools. This partnership also informs parents of the benefits of music in the school curriculum, giving them tools to raise awareness of the important role of music to learning and development.

with musicians and guest artists. Together, these programs make performances more affordable and introduce more than 18,000 young people to the joys of live music each year. At Tanglewood, the BSO's friday Morning rehearsals are open exclusively to groups of students, teachers, and parents, while the Kids’ corner and Watch and play are free, interactive music programs for children attending open rehearsals or concerts on Saturday morning and/or Sunday afternoons.

WorlDWiDE EDucational rEach

The BSO’s popular website, bso.org, is among the most robust and often-visited orchestral websites in the world. The vast reach of the internet allows students and music aficionados around the globe to access a wealth of resources that give additional depth and context to BSO performances and music in general. The classical companion enhances the concert- going experience with archival images, video and sound clips, and interviews with composers and performers. These features combine to narrate an engaging historical context and listening guide for select BSO concerts.

Delivering a wide array of information, bso podcasts for Symphony, Pops, and Tanglewood programs are available for download to the public through iTunes or bso.org. Though each is geared toward a specific concert program, the rich content appeals to an audience that extends far beyond concertgoers. Last year, 115,000 listeners subscribed to BSO podcasts, with 86,000 listening more than once a month. Much of the BSO's multimedia content is also available through the new online Media center and companion iphone app, both launched last year. More information about these tools is available on page 23.

Additional educational resources online include curriculum kits for educators, an archival library of our online conservatory modules, and Internet TV—allowing visitors to explore the multiple facets of the BSO. The bso Mobile club continues to provide technologically savvy concertgoers with performance reminders, premiums, and other special offers directly on their mobile phones. The BSO's enhanced new-media presence on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube helps the organization maintain a highly visible online profile while reaching an active group of music lovers across the world.

DirEct EnGaGEmEnt With youth artists

The BSO fosters future generations of young artists by engaging them in programs to expand their skills and provide them with a venue to showcase their burgeoning talents. Winter Vacation at the bso offers workshops in recorder, percussion, and chorus for students in grades K-3. The weeklong program culminates with a performance by the young musicians on the stage of historic Symphony Hall. Days in the arts at tanglewood (DARTS) attracts middle-schoolers from across the state for a residential arts program with instruction in music, visual arts, theater, dance, and creative writing. Students also glean inspiration from the Berkshires' many cultural offerings such as Jacob’s Pillow, Shakespeare & Company, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. In 2010, DARTS was sponsored in part by Bank of America.

Founded as part of the Youth Concert Series in 1959, the BSO’s concerto competition inspires advanced high school instrumentalists by offering the winners the opportunity to perform at a BSO Family concert or a Boston Pops concert. The Visiting student ensemble program attracts middle and high school performance groups from around the country to attend a concert, participate in master classes taught by BSO musicians, and to rehearse at Symphony Hall. The boston symphony orchestra teen council is a year-long mentoring and education program for high school students that helps them develop skills to reach out to their peers and families to help foster a life-long appreciation for the arts.

The BSO is also a founding partner in project step (String Training and Educational Program for Students of Color), a program that identifies, trains, educates, and guides students for careers in classical music as soloists, teachers, chamber music performers, and orchestra members. Additionally, Tanglewood is home to the boston University tanglewood institute, a summer training program for high school musicians.

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