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PHOENIX SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 866000134 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE A690 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Large ($10M-$50M) · phoenixsymphony.org
revenue
$19.6M
expenses
$9.8M
net assets
$7.9M
employees
182
volunteers
100
program ratio
70%
mission · from form 990

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE JOY OF MUSIC AS A CATALYST IN HELPING ARIZONA TO BECOME THE BEST PLACE IN AMERICA TO WORK AND LIVE. WE WILL DO THIS BY CREATING HIGH QUALITY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES TO FEED THE SOULS OF OUR RESIDENTS, TO BOLSTER THE CULTURAL ECONOMY, AND TO EDUCATE AND STRENGTHEN OUR NEXT GENERATION RESULTING IN A CREATIVE WORKFORCE.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Phoenix Symphony Association is a professional orchestra based in Phoenix, Arizona, that performs classical, pops, film, and family concert series. It presents live orchestral music at venues across the metro area, including the Phoenix Symphony Hall, and engages audiences through diverse programming ranging from traditional symphonic works to contemporary multimedia performances. The organization also offers educational and community outreach initiatives.

named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

Chamber Music Series
Smaller ensemble performances showcasing works in more intimate settings, often featuring members of the orchestra
Classics Series
Presentations of traditional symphonic repertoire featuring major works by composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich, and Mahler, often with guest soloists and conductors
Family Series
Family-friendly concerts designed for younger audiences, including interactive experiences like Clap, Count, Play! A Symphony Rhythm Party and themed programs such as Northern Lights Adventure
Film in Concert
Live orchestral accompaniment to films such as Star Wars, E.T., Top Gun: Maverick, and Pirates of the Caribbean, synchronized with on-screen screenings
Friday Coffee Classics
Informal morning performances offering abbreviated versions of mainstage works, designed for accessible audience engagement
Pops Series
Orchestral performances of popular music, including tributes to artists like Paul Simon, Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, and Broadway composers
activities · 5 clusters

what they do

  • Orchestral and Choral Concert Performances 8 activities
    • Manage and perform with the Phoenix Symphony Chorus
      Operates a 120-member volunteer chorus founded in 2001 that performs in major choral-orchestral works each season, including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, as well as pops and holiday concerts. The chorus has performed with artists like Andrea Bocelli, toured internationally (including Carnegie Hall, Vienna, and Salzburg), and recorded award-winning albums such as one featuring Aaron Copland’s music.
    • Orchestral Performances
      Performs a variety of orchestral concerts including classical music, opera choruses, "Pops" concerts combining orchestral music with other art forms, family-oriented performances, film-in-concert events, chamber music, and special performances blending classical and contemporary music, as well as video game music and holiday-themed concerts.
    • Orchestral Performances and Concerts
      The Phoenix Symphony Association performs a wide range of orchestral concerts, including classical music, opera choruses, "Pops" concerts, family-oriented performances, film-in-concert events, chamber music, and holiday-themed concerts. They also perform with guest artists and for special events.
    • Orchestral Performances and Concerts
      The Phoenix Symphony Association performs a wide range of orchestral concerts, including classical music, opera choruses, "Pops" concerts, family-oriented performances, film-in-concert events, chamber music, and holiday-themed concerts. These performances often feature collaborations with other art forms and artists, reaching diverse audiences.
    • Phoenix Symphony Chorus Management
      The organization founded and manages the Phoenix Symphony Chorus, which consists of 120 volunteer members who contribute over 12,000 hours of service annually. The chorus performs in numerous concerts each season and has recorded an album.
    • Phoenix Symphony Chorus Management
      Manages a 120-member volunteer chorus, founded in 2001, which performs in numerous concerts each season, including classical works, pops series, and has performed internationally and recorded an album.
    • Phoenix Symphony Chorus Management and Performances
      The organization manages the Phoenix Symphony Chorus, a 120-member volunteer group founded in 2001, which contributes over 12,000 hours of service annually. The chorus performs in numerous concerts each season, including classical works, pops series, and has performed internationally and recorded an album.
    • Present public concert performances across multiple genres
      Performs a diverse range of public concerts including classical (e.g., Shostakovich Symphony No. 5), pops (e.g., Cirque Carmen), film-in-concert events (e.g., Star Wars: Return of the Jedi™), holiday concerts (e.g., Handel’s Messiah), chamber music, video game music (e.g., Final Fantasy), and genre-blending programs (e.g., STRAVINSKY X KENDRICK LAMAR). Also presents family-oriented shows like Northern Lights Adventure.
  • School-Based Music Education Outreach 4 activities
    • Deliver education and community learning programs
      The Phoenix Symphony Learning Institute runs education programs that reach over 125,000 students, adults, and families annually, including school assemblies, field trips, STEM lessons, school-based concerts, and a cross-cultural music residency with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The program also provides professional development to train teachers and musicians in teaching STEM through music.
    • Music Education Programs
      Operates the Phoenix Symphony Learning Institute, reaching over 125,000 students, adults, and families annually through education programs across Arizona, including field trips, school assemblies, master classes, STEM lessons, school-based concerts, a cross-cultural music residency, and professional development for teachers and musicians.
    • Music Education and Community Engagement Programs
      The organization operates the Phoenix Symphony Learning Institute, which provides education programs across Arizona, reaching over 125,000 students, adults, and families annually. These programs include field trips, school assemblies, master classes, STEM lessons through music, school-based concerts, and a cross-cultural music residency.
    • Music Education and Community Engagement Programs
      The organization operates the Phoenix Symphony Learning Institute, which provides education programs across Arizona to over 125,000 students, adults, and families annually. These programs include field trips, school assemblies, master classes, STEM lessons through music, school-based concerts, and a cross-cultural music residency.
  • Youth Civic Leadership Development 4 activities
    • Develop emerging leaders through collective engagement
      Unites emerging leaders through a program focused on engagement, leadership development, and collective giving to support The Phoenix Symphony.
    • Emerging Leaders Program
      Unites emerging leaders to support The Phoenix Symphony through engagement, leadership development, and collective giving.
    • Emerging Leaders Program
      The organization runs a program that unites emerging leaders to support The Phoenix Symphony through engagement, leadership development, and collective giving.
    • Leadership Development and Engagement for Emerging Leaders
      The organization unites emerging leaders to support The Phoenix Symphony through engagement, leadership development, and collective giving initiatives.
  • Concert and Event Volunteer Coordination 4 activities
    • Engage volunteers in concert and event operations
      Utilizes volunteers to support concert and event operations, including staffing the box office will-call window, welcoming patrons, answering questions, distributing marketing materials, providing clear bags for donation, guiding guests, and assisting with event setup and breakdown at Symphony Hall.
    • Volunteer Program for Concert Operations
      Engages volunteers to support various aspects of concert operations, including staffing the box office, welcoming patrons, distributing materials, guiding guests, and assisting with event setup and breakdown.
    • Volunteer Program for Event Support
      The Phoenix Symphony utilizes volunteers to support various aspects of its operations, including staffing the box office, welcoming concert patrons, distributing marketing materials, and assisting with event setup, breakdown, and guest guidance on event days.
    • Volunteer Program for Event Support
      The Phoenix Symphony utilizes volunteers to support various aspects of its operations, including staffing the box office, welcoming concert patrons, distributing marketing materials, and assisting with event setup and breakdown.
  • Music Therapy and Personalized Playlists 4 activities
    • Health & Wellness Music Initiatives
      Conducts hospice bedside visits to provide comfort and connection through music, and offers live, interactive performances by Symphony musicians in healthcare settings and homeless outreach centers.
    • Music for Health and Wellness
      The Phoenix Symphony conducts hospice bedside visits to provide comfort and connection through music, especially when verbal communication is limited. Through its Health & Wellness Initiative, it also provides live, interactive performances by Symphony musicians in healthcare settings and homeless outreach centers.
    • Music for Health and Wellness
      The Phoenix Symphony conducts hospice bedside visits to provide comfort and connection through music, especially when verbal communication is limited. They also provide live, interactive performances by Symphony musicians in healthcare settings and homeless outreach centers through their Health & Wellness Initiative.
    • Provide musical performances in healthcare and hospice settings
      Conducts bedside visits to provide musical comfort and connection to patients in hospice and other healthcare settings, particularly when verbal communication is limited. Also delivers live, interactive performances by Symphony musicians in healthcare facilities and homeless outreach centers through its Health & Wellness Initiative.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$19.62M
Contributions & grants$16.62M85%
Program service revenue$2.92M15%
Investment income$33K0%
Other revenue$48K
expenses
Total expenses$9.81M
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$6.15M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.81M
Cash$761K
Investments$8.49M
Liabilities$1.93M
Net assets$7.89M
Liquid reserves11.3 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +301.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 5
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
SUZANNE WILSON PRESIDENT/CEO 40 $360K
TITO MUNOZ BOARD MEMBER / MUSIC DIRECTOR 30 $180K
SUSAN W HAAG VP FINANCE 40 $132K
ANNA KIM KAZEPIDES BOARD MEMBER / MUSICIAN 30 $33K
CHRISTOPHER WOLF BOARD MEMBER / ORCHESTRA MEMBER 30 $30K
board members · 20
  • ADAM GOODMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • AIDAN MCSHEFFREY — VICE CHAIR
  • BRUCE E COVIL — VICE CHAIR / SECRETARY
  • DAVID BORNEMANN — VICE CHAIR
  • DAVID SELDEN — BOARD MEMBER
  • DORIS ONG — BOARD MEMBER
  • DR BERNARD DENDOK — BOARD MEMBER
  • ELIOT MINSKER — BOARD MEMBER
  • ELLEN ANDEEN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JEFF RICH — VICE CHAIR
  • JOHN GRAHM — CHAIR EMERITUS
  • KENNETH VECCHIONE — BOARD MEMBER
  • KEVIN MORIARTY — CO-CHAIR / VICE CHAIR
  • LAURA FRANCO FRENCH — BOARD MEMBER
  • LON BABBY — CO-CHAIR / VICE CHAIR
  • MARK YOUNG — BOARD MEMBER
  • MAX FOSE — BOARD MEMBER
  • MOLLY DEFLIPPIS — BOARD CHAIR (THRU MAY 2022)
  • MORRIS STEIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • OLIVER HARPER — CHAIR EMERITUS
relationships · 37

who they work with

  • AZ Science Center Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • Andrea Bocelli Partner — The Chorus performed with the Symphony in concert with Andrea Bocelli.
  • Arizona Medical Clinic Partner — Co-founded by board member Dr. Oliver “Ollie” Harper, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Arizona Public Service Company Partner — Employer of board member Cary Harbor, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Arizona State University Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • Arizona Theatre Company Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • Aspen Family Business Group, LLC Partner — Employer of board member Leslie Dashew, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Ballet Arizona Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • Bornemann Associates, LLC Partner — Employer of board member David Bornemann, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Boys Choir Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • Decatur Capital Corporation Partner — Employer of board member Philip Cowen, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Fose + McKay Partner — Employer of board member Max Fose, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Goodmans Interior Structures Partner — Employer of board member Adam Goodman, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Heard Museum Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • InMedia Company Partner — Employer of board member Rick McCartney, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Loefgren Law Partner — Employer of board member Doug Loefgren, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • National Bank of Arizona Partner — Employer of board member Mark Stebbings, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • ON Media Publishing Partner — Employer of board member Linda "Mac" Perlich, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • PSGM Law Partner — Employer of board member David Selden, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Phoenix Art Museum Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • Phoenix Bach Choir Partner — Participates in collaborative efforts.
  • Phoenix Symphony Chorus Partner — Professional-level performing group that partners with The Phoenix Symphony and whose members also serve as active volunteers.
  • Rose Law Group Partner — Employer of board member Jeff Rich, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Partner — Conducts a cross-cultural music residency with the community.
  • Salt River Project Partner — Employer of board member Vanessa Kisicki, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Servbank Partner — Employer of board member Robert Cooper, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Signature Wealth Concepts Partner — Employer of board member Phil Kim, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Snell & Wilmer Partner — Employer of board member Matthew Feeney, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • Sunbelt Holdings Partner — Employer of board member John Graham, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
  • TPI Composites Partner — Employer of board member Jenny Holsman Tetreault, indicating organizational affiliation through leadership
+ 7 more