2019-2020 North Carolina Symphony Report to the Community

2020 REPORT TO THE

Community

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DEAR FRIENDS, During a year of unforeseen change, our loyal supporters have enabled the North Carolina Symphony (NCS) to keep our music constant. You have allowed us to continue sharing performances that are meaningful to North Carolinians, providing a source of solace and joy. And your generosity has made it possible for us to support at-home learners and teachers across our state—and even across our nation and around the globe—through high-quality, virtual music education.

When the pandemic began, the Symphony quickly adapted—and with great innovation, we have continued our mission of artistic excellence, statewide service, and music education. Through this time, we have been reminded that NCS, in 1932, was founded in the midst of the Great Depression; resilience is in our DNA. We have focused on fiscal responsibility, and with the unprecedented philanthropic actions of many individuals and businesses—and extraordinary support from the state legislature and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources— we have kept our musicians employed, upholding our position as the largest employer of performing artists in our state.

The Symphony has—since our inception as the state’s orchestra—been dedicated to serving all North Carolinians. In 2019/20, we continued to seek pathways to increase diversity and inclusion, welcoming everyone into the Symphony’s world.

Finally, it was with bittersweet emotion that we marked Grant Llewellyn’s transition from Music Director to Music Director Laureate. While our grand celebrations are on hold for now, Grant nevertheless has felt the love of his Symphony—and is honored to be a recipient of the 2020 City of Raleigh Medal of Arts.

On behalf of my fellow Trustees, thank you for your extraordinary ongoing support. The Music WILL Play On— for you, and thanks to you.

Sincerely,

Don Davis Board Chair, North Carolina Symphony Society, Inc.

AS 2019 TURNED TO 2020, THE WORLD BEGAN TO SHIFT...

AND AS NEW CHALLENGES PLAYED OUT, YOUR SUPPORT HELPED THE NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY TO

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FULFILLING OUR MISSION OF MUSIC EDUCATION, STATEWIDE SERVICE, AND ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

We took the #1 spot

Young professionals

of our new album

mingled over a Mozart string quartet at our networking event at Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

on the Billboard Traditional Classical chart with the release

SEP 2019

2020

Our virtual Education Concert, released just one week after schools shut down, became our

#1 most-viewed video of all time

#GivingTuesday, a global day of giving

OCT 2019

1 MAR

12% of gifts came from brandnew donors on

Holiday concertgoers donated 240+ pounds of food for families in need, through our partnership with Interfaith Food Shuttle

Classical Voice of North Carolina praised our performance of Holst’s The Planets for its “soaring grandeur”

DEC

DEC

JAN

MAY

MAY

JUN

2019

2019

2020

+ APR 2020

Students learned about teamwork via a virtual lesson featuring a Beethoven string quartet

2020

28% of gifts came from brandnew donors on #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving in response to the pandemic

2020

NCS staff and musicians donated 150+ meals

for essential healthcare workers, though our partnership with 18 Restaurant Group

2020

Online commenters

praised our video performance of music from Holst’s The Planets as “absolutely beautiful”

Education

FOR EVERYONE

Leading the most extensive music education program of any orchestra, NCS supports students, teachers, and families across the state. In 2019/20, we ensured that our offerings were more accessible than ever.

• At our first Sensory-Friendly Concert—designed for children and adults with autism, sensory sensitivities, and other disabilities—our 1,400+ audience members were welcome to move about and express themselves as the music played. The concert, made possible by a grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, provided many accommodations, including Braille programs, audio description, and ASL interpretation.

• We introduced new music education residencies in rural Jones County, with the support of the Simple Gifts Fund; and in Dare County’s Outer Banks, with the support of the Bryan Cultural Series and the Outer Banks Community Foundation. Residencies allow NCS musicians to deepen our impact, with numerous music education opportunities and performances for residents of all ages.

“This concert was a dream come true.

Our daughter loves music, but we never thought a symphony would be possible for her. Thank you for making it possible.”

–JAMES AND JESS S., PARENTS

• Funded by PNC’s Grow Up Great, our Music Discovery program—typically held in libraries and preschool classrooms—added visits to homeless shelters and service organizations such as Family Promise of Wake County, Durham Rescue Mission, and Book Harvest of Durham.

43,000+ learners at in-person programs 50,000+ virtual learners

MUSIC EDUCATION VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE! Without missing a beat, each component of our education program went virtual. (And, with these programs available online, many adults are expanding their musical knowledge, too!)

EDUCATION CONCERTS

A Virtual Education Concert, released with an online workbook and lesson plans, taught 4th and 5th graders the core elements of music.

ENSEMBLES IN THE SCHOOLS

Our Ensembles in the HOME Schools videos demonstrated how different instruments work together to make music.

“I am very impressed with the Ensembles in the HOME Schools videos. They are not only educational, but they also give the viewers an intimate, personal, and engaging connection to individual musicians of the orchestra.”

–KATHY HOPKINS, RECENTLY RETIRED ELEMENTARY MUSIC SPECIALIST, WAKE COUNTY

MUSIC DISCOVERY

Preschoolers and their families heard storybooks about music and sang along with NCS musicians at Virtual Music Discovery programs over Zoom, funded by PNC’s Grow Up Great.

INSTRUMENT ZOOS

With the support of MetLife Foundation, we piloted a Meet the Instruments! video series to introduce the instruments of the orchestra and the musicians who play them.

“The ‘Meet the Timpani’ video is great!

I can see how much this will benefit our music teachers.”

—CHRISTINE WHITE, ARTS COORDINATOR, WAYNE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INSTRUMENTAL COACHING

22 student cellists refined audition repertoire over Zoom at our virtual Tune-Up! Workshop.

CONTINUED CREATIVITY A January program at Raleigh’s Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, performed for a sold-out crowd, brilliantly played to the venue’s unique acoustics—the timpani echoed majestically; the organ soared from the loft; and the strings, for one work, were positioned to surround the audience with sound from all angles.

At that performance, Elgar’s tender Serenade for Strings was captured in a recording that, thanks to the technology of a 360 camera, allows for close-up views of the orchestra. As social distancing became the new way of life in the spring, we released the video to create a special moment of unity through music.

Music Resounds FOR NORTH CAROLINA “There was so much to admire about the latest concert of the North Carolina Symphony that it’s hard to know where to start.”

—JOHN LAMBERT, CVNC, OCTOBER 2019

“Well executed. Masterful.

Thoroughly enjoyable.”

—WILLIAM T., YOUTUBE, JULY 2020

No matter the circumstances, the artistic excellence of the North Carolina Symphony remains constant.

NEWSWORTHY NOTES In October 2019, NCS made headlines with our Pops Season opener, starring Leslie Odom, Jr., of Hamilton fame. “There’s something about that collaboration, all those great musicians on stage,” said Odom, Jr., speaking to WRAL about why he loves performing with the Symphony.

After the pandemic began, the media focused on the Symphony’s dedication to keeping the music playing. “There was no question that we would still try to reach our audience virtually,” NCS cellist David Meyer told CBS 17. “Music is the currency of the human spirit.”

SOUNDS OF CELEBRATION

“…a tight, technically sound, and emotionally satisfying performance which the full-house audience responded to vigorously.”

From the Cirque de Noel shows that ushered in the holiday season over Thanksgiving weekend to the timeless, romantic voice of Johnny Mathis over Valentine’s Day weekend, the Symphony provided a soundtrack to celebrations for many North Carolinians.

—KEN HOOVER, CVNC, NOVEMBER 2019

“…balm for the heart and soul at the end of another intense stay-at-home workday.”

—BOB S., YOUTUBE, APRIL 2020

Even when in-person concerts were no longer possible, NCS continued to share festive music—for Independence Day, our violists dressed up in their patriotic red, white, and blue to record a performance of the Star-Spangled Brandenburg by North Carolina’s own Terry Mizesko—complete with virtual fireworks!

SHIFTING THE SPOTLIGHT Pianists Stephen Hough and Natasha Paremski and violinist James Ehnes were a few of the star soloists we welcomed to our stages for spectacular collaborations with the orchestra during the 2019/20 season.

Then, NCS musicians became their own collaborators in imaginative “From Our Homes to Yours” video performances—Principal Clarinet Samuel Almaguer, for example, performed all four parts of a clarinet quartet, and Assistant Principal Trombone Jonathan Randazzo hilariously teamed up with his “long lost twin” (himself!) for a trombone duet.

MUSICAL MEMORIES A musical salon hosted at the home of NCS Trustee Rick Gardner and his wife Jennifer Gardner featured an NCS string quartet.

Gratitude

FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

Your support makes the Symphony’s music possible. Thank you!

SUPPORTERS STEP UP Throughout the season, music lovers across our state humbled us with their generosity—and when the pandemic began, our audience’s dedication to the music shone brighter than ever.

Ticket-holders donated $265,000 in ticket purchases for concerts that could not take place, and 33% of donors increased their gifts compared to last season, providing an extra boost of support during an especially challenging year.

A pre-concert dinner at Penick Village in Southern Pines supported music education programming in Moore County.

NCS musicians Erin Zehngut, Rajesh Prasad, and Seth Horner spoke at a luncheon for Musicians’ Circle guests (those who made gifts of $1,000 or more).

1,800+ households donated back their tickets 1,200+ households increased their annual giving 1,100+ households made first-time gifts KEEPING CONNECTIONS

At the beginning of the season, we opened our new donor lounge at the Wilson Center in Wilmington.

Special events are a favorite way to say “thank you” to the Symphony’s generous friends— providing opportunities for NCS donors to connect with our NCS musicians and with each other. In February, we held a recital and reception for our Concertmaster’s Circle friends (those who made gifts of $5,000 or more), featuring an intimate performance by a string quartet of Symphony musicians.

In June, more than 60 screens signed on to Zoom for our first-ever virtual donor event, hosted by violinist Jacqueline Saed Wolborsky and guest-starring her two young children as artistic collaborators!

FOR ALL AUDIENCES

Before the pandemic entered our reality, NCS was on its way to record-breaking final figures for ticket sales and fundraising. The Symphony responded quickly to COVID-19 by significantly reducing expenses—and thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the community, the State of North Carolina, and our corporate and foundation supporters, we were able to finish the year with a much smaller deficit than we otherwise would have.

FY 2020 INCOME BY CATEGORY

as a Percentage of the Total Operating Budget

The Symphony drew in large and diverse audiences— live in concert halls and online with digital content.

• We achieved record-breaking sales numbers for subscription ticket purchases and for holiday concert ticket purchases.

• We extended free tickets to

under-served members of our community through partner organizations such as Helping Hands Mission, Southeast Raleigh Promise, TROSA, Family Promise of Moore County, and others.

Contributions Ticket Sales and Performances State of North Carolina: Statewide Artistic & Education Programs State of North Carolina: Challenge Grant Funding Annual Distribution from Endowment

• Even as of March 1, pre-pandemic, the number of new NCS ticket buyers had surpassed last year’s count of new ticket buyers.

FY 2020 EXPENSES BY CATEGORY

as a Percentage of the Total Operating Budget

• When the pandemic began, NCS continued to engage audiences and make music accessible through more than two-dozen video performances and other virtual offerings—reaching

all 50 states and more than 100 countries around the world.

Statewide Artistic and Education Programs Audience Services Administrative Fundraising

TOTAL ENDOWMENT ASSETS FY 2016–FY 2020

100,000+ ticket buyers

The North Carolina Symphony Foundation endowment ensures long-term sustainability and helps the Symphony weather financially challenging times.

120,000+ video views

FY 2020 FY 2019 FY 2018 FY 2017 FY 2016

Arts Experiences

Fiscal Responsibility FOR THE FUTURE

$17,030,463 $18,630,365 $ 19,555,356 $ 30,308,974 $ 30,494,568

PLANNED GIFTS

+

Seven households added planned gift commitments—and the Lamar Stringfield Society now totals 223 households building our future by including the Symphony in estate plans or by endowing musicians’ chairs or special funds.

Counties served with virtual content

Cherokee

Counties served with in-person programs

Clay

Haywood

Henderson

Jackson

Macon

Burke

Davidson

Catawba Lincoln

Rutherford Polk

Transylvania

Cleveland

Randolph

Rowan

Gaston

Stanly Mecklenburg

Montgomery

Anson

Richmond

STATEWIDE HIGHLIGHTS MOORE: NCS musicians joined a school orchestra rehearsal at Pinecrest High School and then led the young musicians in a coaching session.

CUMBERLAND: 900 people attended a free community concert at Methodist University in Fayetteville.

NASH: Our first Virtual Music Discovery program took place in partnership with the Braswell Memorial Library in Rocky Mount.

DARE: Our woodwind quintet spent three days touring the Outer Banks—from Kitty Hawk to Manteo to Cape Hatteras—with performances and education offerings.

NEW HANOVER: Our string quartet visited and performed for middle and high school students at Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington.

DURHAM: NCS guest violin soloist William Hagen taught students at the after-school instrumental music program Kidznotes in Durham.

JONES: In November, our Jones County residency launched with an Education Concert performed for 400 students.

WAYNE: As has been tradition for nearly 20 years, we began our holiday concert season in Goldsboro, following the town’s tree lighting ceremony.

Vance

Granville

Orange

Bertie

Franklin Nash

Edgecombe

Wilson Johnston Wayne

Harnett

Hoke

Sampson

Washington

Beaufort Craven

Pamlico

Jones Duplin Onslow

Bladen Pender New Hanover

Columbus Brunswick

Through our virtual offerings, the Symphony’s reach spanned all 50 U.S. states and around the globe.

Martin

Greene

Scotland

Robeson

rri

Pitt

Lenoir Cumberland

Union

CRAVEN: Families enjoyed our “Halloween Spooktacular” Young People’s Concert, complete with a costume parade, at Temple Church in New Bern.

Moore

Halifax

Cu

Gates Hertford

Wake

Chatham Lee

Cabarrus

Durham

Guilford

Northampton

Warren

tu

ck

an

Graham

McDowell

Caswell Person

ow

Swain

Counties served with in-person programs AND virtual content

Forsyth

Caldwell Alexander Davie Iredell

Yancey

Buncombe

Yadkin

Rockingham

Ch

Madison

Wilkes

Avery

Stokes

im

Mitchell

Surry

u rq Pe

Watauga

Alleghany

n nk de ota am squ ns C a

Ashe

Pa

NCS programs engaged residents from 92 North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary.

Impact Alamance

STATEWIDE AND WORLDWIDE

Carteret

Tyrrell

Hyde

Dare

NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY FOUNDATION

BOARDS OF TRUSTEES NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY SOCIETY, INC. The Society Board is the governing, policy, and operating board of the Symphony Society. It secures financial resources, approves program goals, engages in strategic planning, and oversees budgets, continuing the Society’s mission to achieve the highest level of artistic quality and performance standards, and embrace the dual legacies of statewide service and music education.

Mr. Don Davis, Chair, Raleigh Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Vice Chair, Raleigh Mr. Joe Bastian, Treasurer, Chapel Hill

Ms. Deborah M. Aiken, Raleigh Dr. Tim Altman**, Laurinburg Dr. Trude R. Bate, Cary Ms. Denise S. Bennett, Raleigh Mrs. Janie W. Bird, Raleigh Mr. Jud Bowman, Durham Ms. Patty Briguglio, Holly Springs Mr. Steve Burriss, Raleigh Mr. Tim Clancy, Raleigh The Honorable Roy Cooper*, Raleigh Mr. Jeffrey A. Corbett, Raleigh Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh Mr. Keith Donahue**, Raleigh Dr. Robert N. Eby, Chapel Hill Mr. Rick Gardner, Raleigh Mr. Michael Gering, Raleigh Mr. Mike Golden, Raleigh Mr. Donald A. Haile, Raleigh Mr. David Haines, Cary

Mr. Terry L. Stevens, Assistant Treasurer, Raleigh Mrs. Ashley Matlock Perkinson, Secretary, Raleigh Ms. Sandi M. A. Macdonald, President & CEO, Raleigh

Secretary Susi H. Hamilton*, Wilmington Mrs. Elaine Bryant Hayes, Fayetteville Mr. Richard E. Hinson, Chapel Hill Mr. Kevin Howell**, Raleigh Mr. Michael Patrick Hughes, Raleigh The Honorable Mark Johnson*, Raleigh Mr. L. Dwain Joyce*, Fayetteville Mrs. Cecelia Eckert Kennedy, Apex Dr. Robert Lacin, Raleigh Mr. Robert MacNeill, Jr., Raleigh Mr. Branford Marsalis, Durham Mrs. Louise A. Miller, Cary Mr. James Morgan**, Raleigh Mr. Graham Mosely, Wilmington Mrs. Florence Peacock, Chapel Hill Dr. Emily Mann Peck, Raleigh Ms. Margaret Smedes Poyner, Raleigh Dr. Ramachandra P. Reddy, Cary Mr. Jason Smith, Raleigh

Mrs. Tracey Fodor Smith, Farmville Mr. David Sontag, Chapel Hill Mrs. Linda J. Staunch*, New Bern Mr. M. Gray Styers, Jr., Raleigh Ms. Sandy Sully, Cary Mrs. Jennie H. Wallace, Raleigh Mr. Dereck Whittenburg, Raleigh Mr. Larry Wilson*, Raleigh Mr. Tim Yull, Raleigh *Ex Officio Members **Governor’s Appointee Trustees as of June 30, 2020

The Foundation Board holds the permanent endowment of the Symphony, solicits additions to the endowment, safeguards and invests assets, and prudently expends funds for the exclusive use and benefit of the Symphony Society.

Mr. Larry Wilson, President, Raleigh Mr. D.S. (Steve) Hodges, Vice President, Durham Col. Matt Segal, Treasurer, Cary Ms. Dianne C. Sellers, Secretary, Raleigh Mr. Thomas H. Roberg, Past President, Raleigh Mr. Chip Anderson, Raleigh Ms. Catharine Biggs Arrowood, Raleigh Mr. Richard L. Daugherty, Raleigh Mr. Don Davis*, Raleigh Dr. Warner Hall, Raleigh Dr. Wm. Charles Helton, Raleigh Mr. Bill Hodges, Raleigh Dr. Ted Kunstling, Raleigh Mr. Henry Mitchell, Raleigh Mr. James W. Narron, Smithfield Dr. Shaler Stidham, Jr., Raleigh *Ex Officio Member

LIFETIME TRUSTEES The Society and Foundation Boards gratefully recognize the individuals listed below as Lifetime Trustees for extraordinary involvement and leadership of the Symphony over a significant period of time.

Dr. Assad Meymandi, 2015 Inductee Mr. Edward O. Woolner, 2016 Inductee

THANK YOU! Thank you to the generous individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners who support the North Carolina Symphony through contributions each season. The successes highlighted in this report, including our extensive music education program, community engagement initiatives, and continued artistic excellence, are made possible by your support.

2019/20 SEASON CORPORATE SUPPORT

ncsymphony.org | 919.733.2750 | 877.627.6724

state headquarters

3700 Glenwood Ave, Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27612

Thank you!