irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $4.17MPROMOTION AND BOX OFFICE: TO PROMOTE THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION'S MANY PERFORMANCES, RECEPTIONS AND EVENTS.
- #2 $271KEDUCATION OUTREACH: ADMINISTRATIVE AND PLANNING ACTIVITIES IN ASSISTING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE MUSICIANS AND TO BUILD FUTURE AUDIENCES. THE MAJORITY OF EXPENSES RELATING TO EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE INCLUDED UNDER CONCERT EXPENSE ABOVE.
named programs · 8 · from sources
what they call their work
Carnival of the Animals: Music on the Wild Side
Family concert using music to depict animals and nature, with interactive elements and hands-on activities to engage children through orchestral storytelling
Family Concerts Series
Three 1-hour interactive concerts featuring musical storytelling, audience engagement, and pre-concert crafts and activities designed for families with children
Jacobs Masterworks Fri Mat Series
Three-concert morning series on Fridays at 11am featuring works by Ravel, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, and others, with coffee served
Jacobs Masterworks Friday A Series
Five-concert series on Friday evenings featuring major classical works by composers such as Mahler, Sibelius, Elgar, Debussy, and Beethoven
Jacobs Masterworks Saturday A Series
Seventeen-concert premier series on Saturday evenings featuring major orchestral repertoire and guest artists
Lunar New Year: Music in Full Bloom
Annual celebration concert featuring festive orchestral music, cultural activities, crafts, and family photo opportunities tied to the Lunar New Year
Symphony Kids Series
Four 30-minute sensory-friendly, interactive concerts offered at two time slots (10am and 11:30am), each focusing on a different section of the orchestra: strings, brass, percussion, and winds
Trick or Treat Symphony
Halloween-themed family concert with spooky and playful orchestral music, pre-concert costume and trick-or-treat activities, designed to introduce children to live symphonic music
activities · 5 clusters
what they do
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Community Festival & Event Organization 1 activity
- Host cultural celebration concertsPresents special concerts that celebrate cultural traditions, such as the Lunar New Year concert featuring music like Clair de lune and Rhapsody in Blue, paired with cultural crafts and activities.
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Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Offer discounted student tickets for Masterworks concertsProvides $10 student tickets for Masterworks concerts at Jacobs Music Center, with up to two tickets available per concert upon presentation of a valid student ID.
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Community Live Music Series 1 activity
- Operate The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park as a public performance venueManages and maintains The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park as a waterfront performance venue for concerts and public events, including seasonal programming and community engagement activities.
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Thematic Orchestral Concert Series 1 activity
- Present orchestral concert performances as part of the annual season scheduleProduces and presents a full season of orchestral performances at Jacobs Music Center and other venues, including Masterworks series and themed concerts featuring works by composers such as Beethoven, Prokofiev, and Mendelssohn.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Host family and youth-focused concert programsOffers a range of interactive, age-appropriate concert experiences for children and families, including the Family Concerts Series, Symphony Kids Series (with sensory-friendly morning and midday performances), and themed events such as Trick or Treat Symphony and Carnival of the Animals.
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financials · form 990 · fy2021
the money
revenue
Total revenue$89.36M
Contributions & grants$70.94M79%
Program service revenue$13.03M15%
Investment income$9K0%
Other revenue$5.38M
expenses
Total expenses$44.16M
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$20.43M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$199.80M
Cash$17.89M
Investments$882K
Liabilities$56.86M
Net assets$142.94M
Liquid reserves5.1 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +57.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021
who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAFAEL PAYARE TORRES | MUSIC DIRECTOR | 40 | $655K |
| MARTHA A GILMER | C.E.O | 40 | $377K |
| CRAIG HALL | VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $237K |
| JEFF THAYER | CONCERT MASTER | 40 | $233K |
| KATHERINE MCDONALD | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $231K |
| MAUREEN CAMPBELL MELVILLE | C.F.O | 40 | $216K |
| SHERI BROEDLOW | VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $184K |
| LEA SLUSHER | VICE PRESIDENT OF ARTISTIC PLANNING | 40 | $176K |
board members · 17
- ALAN PROHASKA — BOARD MEMBER
- ANTHONY C BOGANEY MD FACS — BOARD MEMBER
- ARLENE INCH — BOARD MEMBER
- BEN CLAY — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRISTOPHER SICKELS — BOARD MEMBER
- COLETTE ROYSTON — VICE CHAIR
- DAVID BIALIS — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID SNYDER — IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
- DEBORAH PATE — BOARD MEMBER
- DONALD SLATE — BOARD MEMBER
- EVELYN LAMDEN — BOARD MEMBER (THRU 9/21)
- FRANK VIZCARRA — BOARD MEMBER
- GLORIA STONE — BOARD MEMBER
- HAL FUSON — CHAIR
- J WILLIAM WEBER — VICE CHAIR
- JAMES FITZPATRICK — BOARD MEMBER (THRU 10/21)
- JANET GORRIE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 11
who they work with
- Conrad Prebys Foundation Funder — Naming sponsor of the summer season at The Rady Shell.
- Jacobs Music Center Partner — Co-branded venue and performance space used for concerts and events
- Jacobs Music Center Partner — Primary venue for San Diego Symphony performances including the 2026-27 season concerts.
- Jacobs Music Center Partner — Venue partner hosting San Diego Symphony performances.
- Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Partner — Primary outdoor performance venue for the San Diego Symphony's summer season and community events.
- Richard Blais Partner — Chef and collaborator for a special "Dinner On Stage" event at The Rady Shell.
- San Diego Symphony Partner — Collaborates on concert programming and operations at The Rady Shell
- The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Partner — Associated performance venue linked with the San Diego Symphony for concert programming.
- The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Partner — Collaborative outdoor performance venue for special concerts
- Ticketmaster Partner — Authorized ticket dealer for San Diego Symphony concerts.
- Ticketmaster Partner — Ticketmaster is an authorized ticketing partner whose tickets/QR codes are honored by the San Diego Symphony.