2017-2018 season: Triumph amidst adversity for the Santa Rosa Symphony

This fiscal year, ending June 30, 2018, was a milestone in the Santa Rosa Symphony’s 90-year history. The Symphony, during its 2017-2018 season, was able to draw on its deep roots in the community and organizational strength to step in and contribute to the community in the face of October's tragic wildfires. Though the Symphony cannot build houses, it has been able to build hope and inspiration through the collective experience of its healing music.

Top ten organizational highlights of the 2017-2018 season include:

• Served the community impacted by October's wildfires, highlighted by its free fire-relief concert, which raised more than $115,000 for fire relief agencies, and the distribution of free tickets to first responders and those who lost homes
• Francesco Lecce-Chong unanimously selected by Board as SRS' fifth music director
• Music Director Bruno Ferrandis conducted final farewell concerts culminating 12 year tenure
• Initiation of “Primarily Classical,” bringing classical music to every (115) elementary school in Sonoma County over the next four years
• SRS Youth Orchestra is on life-changing concert tour to Salzburg, Vienna and Budapest
• Education department rebranded under SRS Institute for Music Education, renaming two youth ensembles and naming three new conductors for FY19
• Most successful gala fundraiser in 14 years honored Don Green
• Historic high for donations broke $2 million ceiling, accentuated by record level of individual and board giving
• Endowment fund value exceeded $13 million for the first time
• For fifteenth consecutive year, SRS ends the fiscal year in the black

Alan Silow, SRS President and CEO said, “Going into our 91st season, we look to sustain our vision to be one of the leading regional symphony orchestras in America, locally acclaimed and nationally recognized for community engagement, artistic vibrancy, educational leadership and fiscal sustainability.”

Our “New Era” themed 2018-2019 season introduces of our new music director Francesco Lecce-Chong and celebrates the return of Conductor Emeritus Jeffrey Kahane and Conductor Laureate Bruno Ferrandis conducting the final two sets. The 2018-2019 season will include: the return of a free summer community concert for more than 4,000, featuring a premier mariachi ensemble, a season-opening celebration welcoming Lecce-Chong, a family concert series with Lecce-Chong conducting the third concert, and three new conductors of our youth orchestras.