Walla Walla Symphony Society
The Walla Walla Symphony Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1907, operating the oldest continuously performing symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi. It serves the Walla Walla Valley and Pacific Northwest through subscription concerts, youth education programs, and community engagement initiatives.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1907
- HeadquartersWalla Walla, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Walla Walla Symphony Society does
The Walla Walla Symphony Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1907 in Walla Walla, Washington, and recognized as the oldest continuously operating symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi River. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by CEO Leah Wilson-Velasco and Music Director & Conductor Dina Gilbert (appointed July 2024), operating with an administrative staff of 1–10 employees and engaging approximately 70 professional musicians drawn from the Walla Walla Valley and broader Pacific Northwest for its 2025–2026 season. Its principal venue is Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus (46 S Park St, Walla Walla, WA 99362), with additional performances at the WWCC Performing Arts Center, Walla Walla High School, and local parks.
The core product is a subscription Symphony Series of classical and contemporary orchestral works, augmented by ancillary educational and community programs: the Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra (WWSYO), Rock Camp, Jump Start Orchestra Camp, Summer in the Parks (free outdoor concerts), and Free Family Concerts with instrument petting zoos. The 2026–2027 season marks the organization's 120th anniversary with a "Pathways" theme featuring guest artists (Adrian Anantawan, Seraph Brass), the Vienna Boys' Choir, Brahms Requiem with the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers, and Dvořák's New World Symphony performed in collaboration with the Whitman College Orchestra. The technology footprint is modest: a Squarespace-hosted website with SSL encryption, Salesforce-routed online ticketing and donation portals, and a Digital Program Book. There are no proprietary software platforms, APIs, or AI-driven products.
Revenue is generated across four streams: ticket sales and season subscriptions, individual tax-deductible donations, government and foundation grants (ArtsWA, National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsFund, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation), and education program fees. Distribution combines self-serve online sales with venue box offices and outreach through community partnerships with Whitman College, Walla Walla University, Walla Walla Public Schools, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Carnegie Hall's LinkUp program. The organization received the GuideStar (Candid) Gold Seal of Transparency in 2024 as a non-profit disclosure credential.
Walla Walla Symphony Society firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Walla Walla Symphony Society
- Legal name
- Walla Walla Symphony Society, Inc.
- Website
- https://wwsymphony.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1907
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Walla Walla Symphony Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1907, operating the oldest continuously performing symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi. It serves the Walla Walla Valley and Pacific Northwest through subscription concerts, youth education programs, and community engagement initiatives.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Walla Walla Symphony Society industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts — Symphony Orchestra Services
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Fine Arts Schools (611610)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)
Keywords
Where Walla Walla Symphony Society is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Walla Walla
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Walla Walla Symphony Society business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets and season subscriptions to symphony concerts and special performances
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individual donors supporting the non-profit symphony orchestra
- Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from ArtsWA, NEA, and other arts organizations supporting the symphony's operations and programs
- Education Program Fees: Fees from youth orchestra programs, rock camps, and educational outreach initiatives
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Season Subscriptions |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Single Tickets |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free Events |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Walla Walla Symphony Society product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Walla Walla Symphony Society presents live orchestral performances by a professional ~70-member orchestra under Music Director & Conductor Dina Gilbert, anchored by a subscription Symphony Series at Cordiner Hall in Walla Walla, Washington. The Society also delivers music education and community programs, including the Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra, Rock Camp, Jump Start Orchestra Camp, free Summer in the Parks outdoor concerts, and Free Family Concerts. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operations are supported by ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants from ArtsWA, NEA, and ArtsFund.
Product overview
The Walla Walla Symphony is a performing arts organization offering a portfolio of live orchestral concerts and educational programs. The core product is the Symphony Series of subscription concerts featuring classical and contemporary orchestral works performed by professional musicians. Supporting programs include the Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra (WWSYO), Rock Camp, Jump Start Orchestra Camp, Summer in the Parks outdoor concerts, and Free Family Concerts. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit presenting performances at venues including Cordiner Hall, with the current Music Director being Dina Gilbert (appointed 2024).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Symphony Concerts (Symphony Series) Live orchestral performances of classical and contemporary repertoire performed by ~70 professional musicians under Music Director & Conductor Dina Gilbert at Cordiner Hall, including the subscription main-stage Symphony Series concerts.
- Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra (WWSYO) Youth orchestra program providing orchestral training and performance opportunities for young musicians, including fall and spring session concerts under WWSYO Director Bruce Walker.
- Rock Camp Annual summer music camp where student musicians learn rock music and perform in a final concert (e.g., 2026 Rock Camp Concert on July 17, 2026).
- Jump Start Orchestra Camp Summer orchestra camp for students featuring String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra instruction.
- Summer in the Parks Free outdoor concert series featuring small groups of Walla Walla Symphony musicians performing at local parks throughout the region.
- Free Family Concerts Free admission concerts designed for families, often including Instrument Petting Zoos and interactive elements to engage young audiences.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 115 years of continuous operation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Walla Walla Symphony Society
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Walla Walla Symphony Society technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Walla Walla Symphony Society partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ArtsWA (Washington State Arts Commission)coreState arts agency providing funding and support for arts programming in Washington State
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)coreFederal arts funding agency supporting the symphony's programs and performances
- Columbia REAsupportingRegional cooperative providing funding support for the symphony
- Key TechsupportingTechnology partner providing website and digital infrastructure support
- Whitman CollegecoreHost venue (Cordiner Hall) and collaborative partner for performances and student involvement
- Mid-Columbia MastersingerssupportingCollaborative choral organization for joint performances such as Brahms Requiem
- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian ReservationsupportingPartnership for commissioned works and community cultural programming
- Walla Walla Public SchoolssupportingEducational partnership for youth orchestra programs and school concerts
- Carnegie HallsupportingPartnership through LinkUp program for educational programming
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Walla Walla Symphony Society competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Spokane Symphony: Regional symphony orchestra serving the Inland Pacific Northwest with comparable subscription concert series, youth orchestra programs, and educational outreach — the closest geographic and scale comparable to the Walla Walla Symphony.
- Yakima Symphony Orchestra: Mid-size regional symphony in central Washington offering similar orchestral performances, education programs, and community-based programming — directly comparable in scale and mission.
- Boise Philharmonic: Regional symphony orchestra serving Boise and southwestern Idaho with a comparable mix of classical subscription concerts, education programming, and donor-supported nonprofit operations.
- Mid-Columbia Mastersingers: Regional choral organization that already partners with the Walla Walla Symphony (e.g., Brahms Requiem performance) — directly comparable as a regional performing arts nonprofit in the same service area.
Broad incumbents
- Oregon Symphony: Larger, more established Pacific Northwest symphony with broader programming, deeper institutional resources, and a wider geographic reach — comparable mission but materially larger scale.
- Seattle Symphony: Major metropolitan symphony in the Pacific Northwest with full-time musicians, a dedicated concert hall, and extensive education programming — operates in the same regional market at a significantly larger scale.
- Nashville Symphony: Mid-to-large American symphony with a comparable mix of classical subscription programming and education/outreach initiatives — comparable mission and product structure at materially greater scale.
- Pacific Northwest Ballet: Major regional performing arts organization in the Pacific Northwest with educational outreach and subscription programming — comparable as a Pacific Northwest performing arts nonprofit, though focused on dance rather than orchestral music.
Regional players
- Richland Players: Community theater organization in southeastern Washington serving a similar regional audience — comparable as a community performing arts nonprofit, though focused on theatrical rather than orchestral programming.
Others
- Carnegie Hall (LinkUp Program): National arts institution already partnered with the Walla Walla Symphony through its LinkUp education program — comparable as an enabler/partner in music education delivery to schools and young students.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Walla Walla Symphony Society social profiles
Digital presenceWalla Walla Symphony Society financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Walla Walla Symphony Society leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Walla Walla Symphony Society funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Walla Walla Symphony Society M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Walla Walla Symphony Society
What does Walla Walla Symphony Society do?
The Walla Walla Symphony Society presents live orchestral performances by a professional ~70-member orchestra under Music Director & Conductor Dina Gilbert, anchored by a subscription Symphony Series at Cordiner Hall in Walla Walla, Washington. The Society also delivers music education and community programs, including the Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra, Rock Camp, Jump Start Orchestra Camp, free Summer in the Parks outdoor concerts, and Free Family Concerts. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operations are supported by ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants from ArtsWA, NEA, and ArtsFund.
Is Walla Walla Symphony Society a public or private company?
Walla Walla Symphony Society is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Walla Walla Symphony Society founded?
Walla Walla Symphony Society was founded in 1907. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Walla Walla Symphony Society based?
Walla Walla Symphony Society is headquartered in Walla Walla, United States, in the North America region.
How does Walla Walla Symphony Society make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions, government and Foundation Grants and education Program Fees.
Who are Walla Walla Symphony Society's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Spokane Symphony, Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic and Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. Broad incumbents are Oregon Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Nashville Symphony and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Richland Players is listed as a regional player. Carnegie Hall (LinkUp Program) is listed as an others.
Does Walla Walla Symphony Society have an API?
No public API is recorded for Walla Walla Symphony Society.
What industry is Walla Walla Symphony Society in?
Walla Walla Symphony Society's product category is Performing Arts — Symphony Orchestra Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAB, Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music), with a secondary code of THAJAFAA, Concerts & Music Festivals. Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.