Asheville Symphony

What Asheville Symphony does

The Asheville Symphony (legal entity: Asheville Symphony Society, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional symphony orchestra founded in 1958 and based in Asheville, North Carolina, where it serves Western North Carolina as the region's primary symphonic organization. Its core product is the Givens Communities Masterworks Series — seven classical concerts per season conducted by Music Director Darko Butorac, performed primarily at First Baptist Church of Asheville — complemented by the ALT ASO alternative series that places chamber orchestra programs at distinctive local venues (The Orange Peel, Highland Brewing, Pisgah Brewing, White Horse Black Mountain). The organization also operates an integrated educational ecosystem including the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra (200+ students across five orchestral ensembles plus chamber and percussion groups), Music in the Schools, the Hip Hop Folktale Project (with GRAMMY winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo), Young People's Concerts, MusicWorks (an El Sistema-inspired after-school program at Leicester Elementary), and the Asheville Symphony Chorus (founded 1991), reaching over 45,000 individuals annually.

Revenue is generated across seven documented streams: single ticket sales, season subscriptions to the Givens Communities Masterworks Series (with up to 15% savings and exchange flexibility), individual donations across eight tiers from $50 (Friend) to $25,000+ (Season Underwriter), corporate sponsorships ($3,000–$25,000+, anchored by Givens Communities, Flow Automotive/Porsche, and Hotel Arras), planned giving via a Legacy Society, an annual Porsche raffle at $209 per ticket, and MusicWorks sliding-scale tuition. Audience reach is extended beyond live performance through Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR Classic), a multi-year PBS North Carolina broadcast partnership, digital marketing across web and Instagram, and recorded albums including Be Still Moses (with Steep Canyon Rangers and Boyz II Men), Mozartistic, and The Asheville Symphony Sessions.

The organization is led by Executive Director Daniel Crupi and governed by a Board of Directors, with 11–50 administrative staff supporting an orchestra that exceeds 100 musicians. Notable institutional milestones include the late-1970s transition to fully paid musicians, the 24-year Robert Hart Baker tenure (1980–2004), the Daniel Meyer era (2004–2018) that produced the Asheville Amadeus festival and key recordings, and the 2018 appointment of Darko Butorac. The 2025 Candid Platinum Seal indicates recognized nonprofit transparency standards.

Name

Asheville Symphony

Legal name

Asheville Symphony Society, Inc.

Website

https://ashevillesymphony.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Asheville Symphony is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional symphony orchestra based in Asheville, North Carolina, that performs a seven-concert Masterworks Series and an ALT ASO alternative series, operates a 200+ student Youth Orchestra and broader music-education ecosystem, and serves over 45,000 individuals annually across Western North Carolina through concerts, recordings, and broadcasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts - Symphony Orchestra

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE), Music Camps (Band, Choir, Instrument Intensive) (EDAMALAJ)

Keywords

• Symphony orchestra performances
• Classical concert series
• Youth music education
• Corporate music sponsorships
• Chamber orchestra concerts

Headquarters

HQ city

Asheville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets to Masterworks concerts, ALT ASO performances, special events, and recitals. Single tickets for Masterworks concerts are priced with area-based pricing plus a $5 fee per ticket. ALT ASO tickets are generally $45 each.
2. Season Subscriptions: Full season subscriptions to the Givens Communities Masterworks Series offering 7 Masterworks concerts with exclusive benefits including 15% savings, first access to pops concerts, ticket exchange flexibility, and tax deduction for unused tickets.
3. Individual Donations: Annual fund donations at tiered levels from Friend ($50-$99) up to Season Underwriter ($25,000+) with progressive benefits including program recognition, event invitations, patron receptions, and exclusive social events with music director.
4. Porsche Raffle: Major fundraising raffle with tickets at $209 each, with the December 2026 raffle featuring a Porsche Macan S. Previous raffles have generated significant revenue with winners from multiple states.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Institutional supporters at tiered levels from $3,000 to $25,000+ including premium season sponsorships, concert sponsorships, guest artist sponsorships, and music sponsorships. Partners include Givens Communities (Masterworks Series title sponsor), Flow Automotive, Hotel Arras, and numerous local businesses.
6. Planned Giving: Legacy society membership through planned gifts including bequests, retirement plan beneficiaries, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts. Donors recognized in Legacy Society with special acknowledgment.
7. MusicWorks Tuition: After-school music education program at Leicester Elementary serving approximately 50 students, operating on sliding scale tuition. Originally founded at Hall Fletcher Elementary with expansion to nearly 90 students from three schools by 2020.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Asheville Symphony is a performing arts nonprofit that produces and presents live symphonic concerts, music education programs, and recorded orchestral music. Its flagship offering is the Givens Communities Masterworks Series, a seven-concert classical season led by Music Director Darko Butorac, complemented by the ALT ASO alternative chamber series at local venues. The organization also operates a youth orchestra, school-based music education programs, a community chorus, and recorded albums.

Product overview

The Asheville Symphony Orchestra is a performing arts organization offering a multi-faceted portfolio centered on live symphonic concerts and music education. The core product consists of the Givens Communities Masterworks Series (seven classical concerts per season conducted by Darko Butorac) and the ALT ASO Series (intimate chamber concerts at local venues). Supporting products include recorded music (albums such as Be Still Moses, Mozartistic, and The Asheville Symphony Sessions) and ASO Radio broadcasts on Blue Ridge Public Radio. The organization operates extensive education programs through the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra, Hip Hop Folktale Project, Music in the Schools, Young People's Concerts, and MusicWorks. Additional offerings include the Asheville Symphony Chorus, Symphony in the Park (free outdoor concert), Pre-Concert Talks, season subscriptions, and gift certificates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO): Youth orchestra program serving more than 200 young musicians with multiple orchestral ensembles, chamber ensembles, and percussion ensemble.
• Asheville Symphony Chorus
• ALT ASO Series
• Hip Hop Folktale Project
• Mozartistic
• Be Still Moses
• The Asheville Symphony Sessions

Products and services

• Givens Communities Masterworks Series The signature classical concert series featuring a full professional symphony orchestra and guest artists across seven performances per season, conducted by Music Director Darko Butorac, performed at First Baptist Church of Asheville.
• ALT ASO Series On-the-road chamber orchestra concerts bringing symphonic music to unique Asheville venues including The Orange Peel, Highland Brewing, Pisgah Brewing, and White Horse Black Mountain, featuring diverse genres from opera to jazz to heavy metal with tickets generally priced at $45 each.
• Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO) Youth music education program serving more than 200 young musicians with five orchestral ensembles, two string orchestras, percussion ensemble, flute choir, and chamber ensembles, led by Music Director Alexandra Dee.
• Asheville Symphony Chorus Volunteer community choral ensemble performing regularly with the symphony and presenting independent concerts focusing on choral masterworks and modern repertoire.
• Season Subscriptions Subscription packages for the Masterworks Series offering savings up to 15%, early access to pops concerts, ticket exchange flexibility, and exclusive subscriber benefits, with full-series and compose-your-own options.
• MusicWorks El Sistema-inspired after-school music education program serving approximately 50 students at Leicester Elementary School, combining musical instruction with academic enrichment and sliding-scale tuition.
• Music in the Schools Elementary school music education program providing live classical performances to students in grades 2-5 across Asheville City and Buncombe County schools, sponsored by the Asheville Symphony Guild.
• Young People's Concerts Free symphonic performances for fifth-graders from Asheville and Buncombe County schools, often featuring collaborations with the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra and guest artists.
• Hip Hop Folktale Project Music education curriculum for grades 2-8 created with GRAMMY winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, teaching music appreciation, cultural exploration, and self-expression through hip-hop versions of folktales from around the world.
• Symphony in the Park Free community outdoor concert held at Pack Square Park featuring the full orchestra, presented annually with VIP reserved seating options.
• ASO Radio Radio broadcast partnership with Blue Ridge Public Radio featuring performances from the Givens Communities Masterworks Series aired on BPR Classic.
• Be Still Moses Album Collaborative album featuring GRAMMY-winning Steep Canyon Rangers and Boyz II Men with orchestral arrangements from the Asheville Symphony.
• Mozartistic Album Family-style hip-hop album collaboration with GRAMMY winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, pianist Orion Weiss, and DJ Marley Carroll, reimagining Mozart's story through modern hip-hop.
• The Asheville Symphony Sessions Album Album featuring local musicians including Doc Aquatic, Electric Owls, Free Planet Radio, Rising Appalachia, and Steep Canyon Rangers, with orchestral arrangements produced at Echo Mountain Recording Studios.
• 2021 Virtual Concert Series COVID-era deep-dive concert series featuring soloists including soprano Christina Pier, baritone Corey McKern, cellist Amit Peled, violinist James Thompson, and pianist Adam Golka, later broadcast on PBS North Carolina.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 45,000+ individuals annually through performances and programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Givens CommunitiesflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2026First-ever title sponsor of the Masterworks Series for 2026-2027 season. Givens Communities' sponsorship elevates the season under the 'Givens Communities Masterworks Series' branding, with their logo prominently featured on all Masterworks concert materials and promotional content.
• PBS North CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Three-year partnership for broadcasting selections from the 2021 Virtual Concert Series. Reaches millions of households across North Carolina, with programming featured in At Home Learning Blocks for education impact.
• Flow Automotive (Porsche of Asheville)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Automotive Company of the Asheville Symphony. Provides vehicle donations for Porsche raffle fundraiser and serves as premium season sponsor. The partnership includes vehicle donation for fundraising raffles with winners from across the country.
• Hotel ArrascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium season sponsor providing lodging partnership for visiting artists and corporate sponsorship support for symphony programs.
• Blue Ridge Public RadiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadcast partner for ASO Radio, airing performances of the Givens Communities Masterworks Series on BPR Classic. Broadcasts include Tuesday evening and Thursday morning slots throughout the season, extending reach beyond live audiences.
• Bob Moog FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Masterworks 3: Double Take program featuring Gabriel Prokofiev's Concerto for Minimoog Synthesizer. Partnership celebrates Asheville's electronic music legacy through orchestral programming.
• MoogseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presentation of Masterworks 3 program alongside Bob Moog Foundation, celebrating local electronic instrument innovation through orchestral performances.
• Black Mountain College MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership celebrating John Cage's legacy through orchestral programming. Black Mountain College was named one of 10 sites in World Monuments Fund's Irreplaceable America initiative.
• Brevard Music CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Holst & Heldenleben performance featuring side-by-side performance of Youth Philharmonic musicians with the professional symphony at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium.
• Asheville Symphony GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 50-year-old volunteer organization providing fundraising support, community engagement, and sponsorship of Music in the Schools program reaching thousands of elementary students annually.
• First Baptist Church of AshevillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary performance venue for Masterworks concerts. Partnership deepened with Chorus Director appointment to church staff, creating integrated performance and community relationship.
• Wortham Center for the Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal venue for 2021 Virtual Concert Series during COVID-era restrictions, now historic venue partnership for performances.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Hall: Iconic performing arts venue and presenter of orchestral concerts with extensive education programs; comparable in programming, education, and nonprofit performance model but at vastly larger scale.
• Nashville Symphony: Larger regional symphony with a major concert hall (Schermerhorn), classical programming, and educational programming including youth orchestra initiatives; broader portfolio but operates in a nearby geography.
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Major regional symphony with extensive education programming, recording label, and broader portfolio; operates at significantly larger scale but comparable nonprofit performance and education model.

Direct peers

• Chattanooga Symphony & Opera: Mid-sized regional symphony serving the Chattanooga metro with Masterworks, Pops, and education programs; comparable scale and nonprofit operating model in an adjacent Southeast market.
• North Carolina Symphony: Statewide symphony orchestra based in Raleigh with similar Masterworks programming, youth education, and community engagement; comparable nonprofit operating model serving North Carolina audiences.
• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: Regional symphony orchestra serving the Charlotte, NC metro with Masterworks and Pops programming, comparable in mission, programming structure, and donor-funded nonprofit model to the Asheville Symphony.
• Greenville Symphony Orchestra: Mid-sized regional symphony in Greenville, SC with classical Masterworks, education programs, and donor-funded nonprofit structure; similar scale and community-symphony positioning.
• Brevard Music Center: Summer music festival and institute in Western North Carolina collaborating with the Asheville Symphony; comparable music education programming and orchestral training mission in the same region.
• Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra: Regional symphony in Tallahassee, FL previously led by Darko Butorac before his move to Asheville; comparable scale, programming mix, and nonprofit structure.

Others

• Bob Moog Foundation: Asheville-based nonprofit collaborating with the symphony on innovative programming (e.g., Prokofiev Minimoog Concerto); adjacent arts-education organization enabling the orchestra's genre-bridging initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/avlsymphony
• Xx.com/avlsymphony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asheville-symphony-society-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Asheville Symphony