Introduction

Rebounding out of the pandemic, the Charlotte Symphony has a bold new vision to better serve the diverse communities of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and beyond.

Through an eight-month planning process involving the Charlotte Symphony Board of Directors, administrative staff, musicians, volunteers, and others, the Charlotte Symphony has developed this Strategic Plan — which focuses on seven essential areas of strategic focus — to serve as a road map for our future, pointing us towards a Charlotte Symphony that is enterprising and resilient. Each year the CSO will reevaluate its progress and set goals to bring us closer to our vision. Progress updates will be published regularly.

The Charlotte Symphony of 2025

Artistic vitality and growth will be evident in all that we do, from neighborhood concerts in public spaces to our flagship series Uptown; newcomers to Charlotte, hearing about the CSO and our musicians from enthusiastic neighbors, will see great performances on stage that reflect their new community; and we aspire, through our preeminent regional role, to be attracting national recognition and generating civic pride.

The CSO will be regarded as a regional leader in exceptional music enrichment and learning, through innovative programming that is accessible and valuable to all.

The CSO will be on such a strong financial footing that there are no questions over its short- and longterm health.

Innovation will be embedded in every part of the organization, and the CSO will have developed a reputation as one of the most innovative arts and cultural organizations in the region, and one of the most innovative symphonies of our size in the country. The CSO will be known as an innovative, united, and diverse organization that reflects the community, embodying its core values, and recognizing and celebrating its employees as individuals while also emphasizing teamwork to accomplish its mission.

The Symphony will be relevant to its community and viewed as an integral and irreplaceable part of the artistic landscape of Charlotte by virtue of its excellent musical experiences, intentional cultural partnerships, deep community focus, and dedication to educating and engaging all generations of musicians and music lovers.

The Symphony will be well-known for “meeting people where they are,” our geographic reach will be greater, utilizing all media to extend our performing and educational impact beyond the immediate region, and, by programming and presenting the CSO with intentionality, we will have grown our audiences in every demographic segment, with special focus on breaking down barriers for those in currently under-represented communities.

We stand here now at a moment of extraordinary opportunity. Charlotte is home to a diverse and growing population who deeply values the city’s arts and culture scene. As our community continues to grow and change, so too must the Charlotte Symphony. While we celebrate the Symphony’s 90th anniversary season and the many contributions of Christopher Warren-Green in his final season as Music Director, we also look towards a future filled with potential.

It is with a spirit of hope and gratitude that we share this plan with you — our vision for what the Charlotte Symphony will be in 2025.