What Savannah Philharmonic does

Savannah Philharmonic is an innovative and influential arts organization, that will entertain, inspire and build community throughout the region. The SavPhil is a community focused arts organization that works to present exceptional concert programming and music education offerings of the highest caliber throughout Savannah and the southeast region. They remain dedicated to fostering community and inspiring a true appreciation of music through equitable access to performances and education programs–and ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Name

Savannah Philharmonic

Legal name

Savannah Philharmonic Corporation

Website

https://savannahphilharmonic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Savannah Philharmonic is an arts organization that provides concert programming and music education services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Symphonic Music

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE), Instrument Rentals & Leasing (Band/Orchestra Programs) (CRALAEAG)

Keywords

• Youth orchestra training
• Symphonic concert performances
• Choral music presentations
• Music education programs
• Community engagement concerts

Headquarters

HQ city

Savannah

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 Saturday evening and Sunday matinee concert subscriptions and individual tickets. Concerts held at Lucas Theatre for the Arts. Ticketing via SCAD Box Office.
2. Annual Fund Donations: Individual donor contributions at various levels from Friend ($150-$249) to Platinum Leadership Circle ($50,000+). Includes Crescendo Society for major donors.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Full Season Sponsor ($100,000), Music Director Sponsor ($50,000), Concert Sponsorships ($5,000-$25,000), Musician Sponsorships ($3,500-$7,500), and SPYO sponsorships.
4. Innovation Fund Campaign: Major gift campaign to raise $2 million over three years (by 2027) focused on artistic vibrancy, education, and community connection.
5. Planned Giving / Legacy Society: Estate commitments, life-income gifts, trusts, life insurance, and retirement plan designations through Legacy Society.
6. Education Program Fees: Savannah Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (SPYO) has annual tuition with scholarships available. SPYO tuition sponsorship at $600 per student per school year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Savannah Philharmonic produces and presents a subscription season of professional orchestral and choral performances at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts in Savannah, Georgia, alongside free community concerts and music education programs. Core offerings include the Orchestra, Chorus, Youth Orchestra (SPYO), free instrument instruction (SavPhil Strings), the Ben Tucker Instrument Library, and the Phil the Neighborhoods community outreach series.

Product overview

The Savannah Philharmonic is a nonprofit performing arts organization offering a portfolio of interconnected musical products and services. Its core offerings are the professional Orchestra and the community Chorus, which present classical and contemporary symphonic performances at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts. The organization extends its reach through educational programs including SavPhil Strings (free instrument instruction), the Youth Orchestra (SPYO), All-Star Ensemble, and Small Group Instruction for District Honor Band preparation. Community engagement is served via Phil the Neighborhoods (free outdoor concerts) and Summer Chorus Camp. The Innovation Fund supports a three-year $2 million campaign to expand artistic programming, community reach, and educational initiatives through 2027.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Phil the Neighborhoods: A free community concert series bringing music to Savannah neighborhoods throughout the year.
• Savannah Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (SPYO)
• Savannah Philharmonic Chorus
• Soundtrack of Savannah
• SavPhil Strings
• Ben Tucker Instrument Library
• All-Star Ensemble
• Chorus Camp

Products and services

• Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra Professional orchestra presenting seasonal concert performances featuring world-class musicians under Music & Artistic Director Keitaro Harada. The orchestra performs classical symphonic repertoire, contemporary works, and pops concerts at venues including the Lucas Theatre for the Arts.
• Savannah Philharmonic Chorus Auditioned community chorus of approximately 95 volunteer singers led by Chorus Master Dr. Paul Thornock. Performs major choral-orchestral works alongside the orchestra, including classical masterpieces such as Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Requiem, and Brahms' A German Requiem.
• 2026-2027 Season Concert Series Seven Saturday evening concerts plus four Sunday matinee performances featuring works by composers including Holst (The Planets), Beethoven (Symphony No. 5), Brahms (A German Requiem), Bernstein (West Side Story), and Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli works), with guest conductors and soloists.
• Savannah Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (SPYO) Youth orchestra program offering advanced student musicians the opportunity to perform exciting orchestral repertoire side-by-side with peers, mentored by Savannah Philharmonic musicians. Rehearsals begin weekly in October with concerts in December and May. Annual tuition with scholarships available.
• Phil the Neighborhoods Free community concert series bringing diverse musical genres to Savannah neighborhoods including parks, front lawns, and downtown squares. Now in its 5th year with performances at locations like Calvary Day School, Eastern Wharf, and Lake Mayer, engaging 63+ host families.
• SavPhil Strings Free instruction program in violin, viola, and cello providing group and private instruction at no cost to students, supported by the Ben Tucker Instrument Library. Expanded to four partner sites, reaching over 70 students across Savannah-Chatham County.
• Summer Chorus Camp Three-day summer program open to singers of all backgrounds from across Savannah and the region. Participants study repertoire, receive vocal instruction, review fundamentals of healthy singing, and participate in a final concert with chamber orchestra. Registration fee of $125 covering dinner and dessert each evening and all instruction. Limited scholarships available.
• Ben Tucker Instrument Library Instrument lending program named for legendary Ben Tucker providing 135 high-quality instruments (87 string instruments, 48 wind instruments) to participating students who may not otherwise have access to instruments for music education.
• All-Star Ensemble Annual two-day intensive workshop uniting over 100 talented student musicians across Savannah high schools for mentorship from Savannah Philharmonic musicians, culminating in a final concert side-by-side with professional orchestra members.
• Sunday Matinee Series Sunday afternoon concert subscription series offering repeat performances of select Saturday evening programs at the Lucas Theatre, providing accessible afternoon options for subscribers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 season concerts and multiple free community performances annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SCAD Box OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTicketing partner for Savannah Philharmonic season subscriptions and individual concert tickets. Handles both Full Season and Matinee Series ticket sales through dedicated box office systems.
• City of Savannah Arts, Culture & Historical ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level supporter. Government partner providing funding and institutional support for arts programming. Featured in Innovation Fund campaign.
• GulfstreamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level corporate sponsor. Major employer in Savannah area providing significant sponsorship support.
• Parker'smajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor and community partner. Regional convenience store chain supporting arts and community initiatives.
• Colonial Group, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor. Energy and logistics company serving as major corporate supporter.
• United Community BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold-level sponsor. Presenting sponsor for Phil the Neighborhoods performances. Regional banking partner supporting community outreach.
• Senior Citizens Inc. / The Learning CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership for Concert Notes series. Guest speakers provide insights and background on music before concerts for senior audiences.
• Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary education partner for school district. Programs align with K-12 curriculum. Ben Tucker Instrument Library works with district to ensure students have access to instruments.
• Calvary Day SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides rehearsal space for Savannah Philharmonic Chorus. Venue for Phil the Neighborhoods fall concert series.
• Calvary Baptist TempleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides rehearsal space for Savannah Philharmonic Chorus (Tuesday evening rehearsals in Midtown Savannah, August through May).
• Cathedral Basilica of St. John the BaptistminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Regina Coeli Hall venue for Chorus Camp (summer program). Home of Chorus Master Dr. Paul Thornock's Cathedral Choir.
• JEA ChaptermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for SavPhil Strings program providing free violin, viola, and cello instruction to students.
• Horizons SavannahmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for SavPhil Strings program. Summer academic and arts program providing instruction access to students.
• Charles Ellis Montessori AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for SavPhil Strings program. School-based instruction site for free violin, viola, and cello lessons.
• Coastal Middle SchoolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner site for SavPhil Strings program. School providing access to students for free string instrument instruction.
• Corcoran Austin Hill Realty GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor and community partner. Real estate firm supporting Savannah Philharmonic through Silver-level sponsorship.
• Critz Auto GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver-level corporate sponsor. Auto dealership group supporting the arts in Savannah.
• WJCLmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedia partner for Savannah Philharmonic. Television station providing promotional support and media coverage.
• Chatham Parkway LexusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate and community sponsor. Automotive dealership supporting Philharmonic events and programs.
• Expert HearingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sponsor. Healthcare/hearing services provider supporting Philharmonic programs.
• Step One Automotive GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sponsor. Automotive dealership supporting arts programs.
• Engel & VolkersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity sponsor. Real estate brokerage supporting Philharmonic programs.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra: Regional orchestra where Keitaro Harada serves as Music Director since 2025/26. Directly comparable as a mid-sized US regional orchestra with similar programming, education programs, and donor/sponsor revenue model.
• Charleston Symphony Orchestra: Mid-sized Southeast regional orchestra serving a similar mid-sized coastal market with comparable programming, education outreach, and corporate sponsorship model. Most directly comparable in scale and geography.
• Jacksonville Symphony: Regional Florida orchestra of comparable size with mixed professional/volunteer chorus model and similar education/community programming serving a mid-sized Southeast market.
• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: Regional Southeast orchestra with similar subscription-based concert model, education programs, and corporate sponsorship tiers - operating in a mid-sized growing market with comparable revenue structure.
• Nashville Symphony: Southeast regional orchestra operating its own venue (Schermerhorn Symphony Center), similar education/community programming, and sponsorship-driven revenue model. Useful benchmark for venue ownership transition Savannah Phil is contemplating.
• Toledo Symphony Orchestra: Mid-sized regional orchestra with comparable programming, education initiatives, and sponsor/donor mix. Useful peer for benchmarking fundraising performance relative to similar mid-sized markets.
• Florida Orchestra: Regional orchestra serving the Tampa Bay area with similar subscription, education, and corporate sponsorship programs. Comparable in scale and programming to Savannah Phil.

Regional players

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Major Southeast regional orchestra and former employer of Jonathan Martin (14 years). Comparable in repertoire and education programming, though significantly larger scale; serves as the dominant classical music organization in the same regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Major US orchestra where Interim CEO Jonathan Martin previously served as President & CEO (2017-2025). Significant scale difference but provides benchmark for major-gift campaigns and professional orchestra operations.

Others

• El Sistema USA programs: Network of El Sistema-inspired music education programs (Rosa Batista studied through El Sistema). Compares to SavPhil Strings and Ben Tucker Instrument Library in instrument-access-for-underserved-students mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SavPhilharmonic
• Facebookfacebook.com/SavPhilharmonic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/valley-dance-ensemble

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Savannah Philharmonic