Nashville Symphony Association

What Nashville Symphony Association does

The Nashville Symphony Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1946 that operates an 83-member professional orchestra serving Nashville, Tennessee and the broader Middle Tennessee region. Its primary venue is the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, a $123.5 million purpose-built facility opened in 2006 that houses the 1,844-seat Laura Turner Concert Hall plus smaller event spaces, located in Nashville's SoBro district. The organization delivers multi-season programming including classical subscription series, pops concerts, special events, family programming, the Bluebird at Symphony crossover series, and educational programs such as Accelerando (for underrepresented music students) and Young People's Concerts. The orchestra has accumulated 14 GRAMMY Awards and 27 nominations across its recording history with Naxos, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, and New West Records.

The Nashville Symphony's revenue model combines earned and contributed streams. Earned revenue includes ticket sales (approximately $7.94 million in fiscal year 2023 across 295 performances and events), venue rental, and commercial recording royalties. Contributed revenue includes individual donations (approximately $9.84 million in fiscal year 2023), corporate partnerships (Nissan, Mellon Foundation, and others), signature fundraising events (Symphony Ball, Fashion Show), the Crescendo Club membership program targeting young professionals, and government grants. Customer segments span individual subscribers, single-ticket buyers, corporate sponsors, foundation funders, and education-program participants.

The organization is undergoing a senior leadership refresh, with J. Mark Cantrell appointed as President and CEO effective July 2026 and Leonard Slatkin announced as Music Director effective February 2026 — both arriving as the institution marks the 20th anniversary of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The orchestra has invested in expanded programming, including a Dolly Parton "Threads: My Songs in Symphony" world premiere and return engagement, while continuing to recover from approximately $26 million in cumulative losses incurred during the COVID-19 period.

Name

Nashville Symphony Association

Legal name

Nashville Symphony Association

Website

https://nashvillesymphony.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Nashville Symphony Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an 83-member professional orchestra from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee through classical, pops, educational, and crossover programming funded by ticket sales, donations, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Symphony Orchestra and Performing Arts

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

Keywords

• Orchestral concert performances
• Classical music subscriptions
• Music education programs
• Symphony venue rental
• Choral ensemble performances

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual concert tickets, season subscriptions, group sales, and special event tickets. Ticketing handled through website, phone, and in-person box office. Ticket prices vary by performance type and seating.
2. Annual Fund and Major Gifts: Individual donor contributions at various levels from $150 (Dress Rehearsal access) to $50,000+ (Martha Rivers Ingram Society). Corporate matching gifts and planned giving through Legacy Society.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate brand partnerships offering marketing assets, hospitality engagement, and branding platforms. Includes Founders Hall Presenting Sponsors, sustaining corporate sponsors, and event-specific sponsorships for Symphony Ball, Fashion Show, and other events.
4. Venue Rental: Rental income from Schermerhorn Symphony Center's multiple event spaces for weddings, corporate meetings, galas, and private concerts. Eleven opulent event spaces accommodate 20 to 1,860 guests. Catering provided through preferred caterer.
5. Recordings and Broadcasts: Revenue from recordings released on Naxos, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, and New West Records. The Ben Folds 'So There' album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Classical and Classical Crossover charts.
6. Young Professional Membership (Crescendo Club): Annual membership program for young professionals offering concert tickets, networking events, and special experiences. Single membership $100/year, dual membership $150/year.
7. Government Grants: Support from Metro Arts Nashville, Tennessee Arts Commission, and National Endowment for the Arts supporting education programs and community engagement initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Nashville Symphony Association operates an 83-member professional orchestra that performs 150+ concerts annually across classical, pops, jazz, contemporary American, and genre-blending programming at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. It sells individual concert tickets and season subscriptions (Compose Your Own and Series Packages), runs music education programs (Young People's Concerts, Accelerando, Youth Orchestras, Ensembles in Schools), offers free community concerts, and rents its 1,844-seat concert hall and adjacent event spaces for weddings, corporate events, and galas.

Product overview

The Nashville Symphony Association operates as a performing arts organization offering a portfolio of orchestral concert experiences and music education programs. The core offerings include Classical Series subscriptions, individual concert tickets, and season packages (Compose Your Own and Series Packages). The Nashville Symphony Wallet serves as the digital ticketing platform providing mobile ticket access and resale capabilities. Education programs span from youth concerts (K-8) and the Accelerando intensive training program to Youth Orchestras and school ensembles. Community engagement includes free outdoor concerts, chamber music series, and neighborhood music programs. The organization also offers venue rental services at Schermerhorn Symphony Center for corporate events, weddings, and private concerts. The Nashville Symphony Chorus (150+ members) performs regularly with the orchestra on classical and holiday programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Accelerando: An intensive music education program designed to prepare gifted young students for music at the collegiate level and beyond.
• Young People's Concerts
• Soundcheck
• Crescendo Club

Products and services

• Season Tickets (Subscriptions) Subscription packages allowing patrons to attend multiple concerts with flexible scheduling options, including Compose Your Own (pick 3+ or 5+ concerts) and Series Package (same seats for every performance). Available for Classical Series, Pops, and Special Events.
• Individual Concert Tickets Single tickets for specific concerts across Classical Series, Pops, Special Events, and Family programming at Schermerhorn Symphony Center and Ascend Amphitheater.
• Group Tickets Discounted group tickets with perks including pre-sale access, flexible ticket holds, group tours, and flexible pricing for groups of 10+ attending concerts. Handled by dedicated Groups Specialist Misha Robledo.
• Young People's Concerts Age-appropriate concerts for grades K-8 aligned with state academic standards, open to public, private, and home schools with comprehensive educational curriculum.
• Accelerando Intensive music education program preparing gifted young students from underrepresented ethnic communities for collegiate music study and professional orchestra careers through year-round instruction, mentorship, and performance opportunities.
• Youth Orchestras Resources, instruction and performing opportunities for youth orchestras including Curb Youth Symphony and Tennessee Youth Symphony for varying grade levels.
• Ensembles in the Schools School visit program where Nashville Symphony musicians perform for PreK-12 audiences with content varying by grade level, accompanied by lesson plans and resources.
• Curb Concerto Competition Competition for classically trained instrumental music students ages 14-18 eligible for woodwinds, brass, strings, piano and percussion.
• Community Concerts Free outdoor summer concerts held at local parks, offering popular classical repertoire to the community.
• Chamber Music Series Informal interactive concert experience with programming developed by orchestra members, featuring music and conversation.
• Music in My Neighborhood Annual event bringing free ensemble performances, educational programs, and collaborations to selected Nashville neighborhoods.
• Lifelong Listeners Program designed to improve quality of life for senior citizens through cultural engagement and social support networks.
• Venue Rental Rental of Schermerhorn Symphony Center spaces including Laura Turner Concert Hall, Curb Family Music Education Hall, Board Room, courtyards, and lobbies for weddings, corporate events, galas, and private concerts. Eleven event spaces accommodate 20 to 1,860 guests.
• Nashville Symphony Wallet Digital ticketing platform enabling contactless mobile tickets via QR code, ticket management, secure resale, and transfer capabilities.
• Nashville Symphony Chorus Choral ensemble of 150+ members performing significant choral works from Baroque to contemporary, including annual Handel Messiah and Voices of Spring concerts.
• Soundcheck Student Tickets Discounted student ticket program offering $20 tickets for K-12, undergraduate and graduate students throughout the season (limit 2 per order with code SOUNDCHECK).

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 GRAMMY Awards out of 27 nominations for recordings
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major, core and minor.

• Dolly PartonflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-produced 'Threads: My Songs in Symphony', a multimedia celebration bringing Dolly Parton's songs to life with guest vocalists, new orchestrations, and Dolly's narration on screen. Sold-out world premiere; returned for exclusive limited summer series (June 16 - July 31, 2026) at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
• Jewish Federation of NashvillemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Lead partner in Violins of Hope Nashville initiative, a community-wide effort with 27 partners and 60 events spotlighting restored instruments played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust.
• The Bluebird CafecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird-year collaboration bringing 'Bluebird at the Symphony' to Schermerhorn, combining Bluebird's iconic songwriting tradition with Nashville Symphony's orchestral talent. Features intimate performances celebrating Nashville's songwriting heritage.
• Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Is It a Fiddle or a Violin?' program exploring connections between country and classical music, unique to Music City.
• NaxoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecording label partner since 2000, with 40+ critically acclaimed releases. Middle Tennessee-based label is world's largest distributor of classical music.
• Vanderbilt University Blair School of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing instruction at Accelerando for music theory and music history. Chorus auditions held at Blair School of Music.
• Gary Sinise FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for American Mosaic free community concert featuring Gary Sinise as narrator.
• Sphinx Music (National Alliance for Audition Support)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner orchestra in National Alliance for Audition Support, an initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras through mentoring, audition preparation, and financial support for Black and Latinx musicians.
• Schirmer TheatricalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatrical production partner for Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony.
• Sony Music PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic publishing partner for Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Minnesota Orchestra: Major U.S. orchestra operating Orchestra Hall with similar classical/pops programming mix, recording activity, and education programs including young artist competitions.
• San Francisco Symphony: Major orchestra with Davies Symphony Hall venue, multiple recording labels, and large-scale education programs (Adventures in Music) closely mirroring Nashville Symphony's offerings.
• Cleveland Orchestra: Top U.S. orchestra with extensive recording catalog and Severance Hall venue — comparable in artistic ambition, recording activity, and education/community programming.
• Philadelphia Orchestra: Historic U.S. orchestra with Grammy-recognized recordings, Verizon Hall venue operations, and similar nonprofit funding model including major donor tiers and corporate sponsorship.
• New York Philharmonic: Major U.S. symphony orchestra with comparable concert programming, recordings, education programs, and venue operations (David Geffen Hall / Lincoln Center). Closely aligned in scale, repertoire, and nonprofit funding model.
• Los Angeles Philharmonic: Major orchestra with acclaimed contemporary programming, large-scale education initiatives (YOLA), and Walt Disney Concert Hall — strong parallels in cross-genre programming and venue-driven revenue diversification.
• St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Historic U.S. orchestra with Powell Hall venue, comparable subscription ticketing, education/community programming, and recognized recording legacy.
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Regional peer orchestra with comparable scale, recording legacy (Telarc), and education programs (Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra) — operates from a purpose-built venue and shares funding model.
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Top-tier U.S. orchestra with similar Grammy-winning recording legacy (CSO Resound label), major downtown concert venue (Symphony Center), and large-scale education/community engagement programs.
• Boston Symphony Orchestra: Elite U.S. orchestra operating a major purpose-built hall (Symphony Hall) with comparable season subscription model, education programs, and Tanglewood summer programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nashvillesymph
• YouTubeyoutube.com/nashvillesymphony
• Facebookfacebook.com/nashvillesymphony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nashville-symphony
• Instagraminstagram.com/nashvillesymphony

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nashville Symphony Association