Orchestras

  • According to a 2014 League of American Orchestras study, the United States is home to 1,200+ orchestras that contributed $1.8 billion to the U.S. economy in direct payments for goods and services in 2014, as well as indirectly fueling the economy through related expenditures by audiences, in communities of all sizes.

  • California is home to nearly 2,000 nonprofit orchestras, ensembles, bands, choral groups, operas, music festivals, and concert series (2020 Guidestar data) all of which cancelled all live programming for the rest of their 2019/20 seasons (March-Aug 2020) and most have cancelled the majority or the entirety of their 2020/21 seasons (Sept 2020-Aug 2021).

  • Orchestras across the U.S. produced an estimated 28,000 performances, activities, and other events in 2014, attracting a total audience of 25 million people. California orchestras produce over 2,300 concerts per year bringing in an estimated ticket revenue of $76.5M (based on a 2005 ACSO survey of its 125 members).

  • According to a 2014 League of American Orchestras study, 75% of all earned income for orchestras (which was 40% of total income) in 2014 was generated from performance and performance-related activities. In California, orchestras that are members of ACSO are projecting at least a 50% drop in total revenue for FY21 due to concert and program cancellations.

  • According to a League of American Orchestras 2014 Study, two out of every three orchestras operated with annual expenses budgets of under $300,000. (Orchestra Facts 2006-2014). That holds true in California where 60% of orchestras have budgets smaller than $300,000 (based on ACSO member 2020 data).

IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AJade Elyssa Rivera