What Modesto Symphony Orchestra does

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded around 1930-1931 in Modesto, California, operating today as the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association in its 96th season (2026-27). It presents a seasonal portfolio of professional orchestral concerts including a Classics Series led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh, a Pops Series led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, holiday programming (Holiday Pops!, Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church), film-in-concert performances under a Disney Concerts license (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Pixar, Fantasia), and the outdoor Picnic at the Pops! event at GALLO Grounds. Education is a core pillar via the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) for grades 5-12 and the Link Up classroom-to-concert program serving thousands of Central Valley students annually. MSO is the Resident Company of the Gallo Center for the Arts, where most concerts are staged at the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater, with the MSO Chorus (led by Daniel R. Afonso Jr.) performing major choral-orchestral works.

MSO's business model combines four revenue streams: (1) earned revenue from concert ticket sales and subscription packages (with subscribers receiving up to 30% savings and free exchanges); (2) individual donations processed through iDonate, including annual giving, planned/estate giving, and endowment support; (3) corporate sponsorships from a defined set of season partners (Gallo, Rogers Family Foundation, Boyett Petroleum, DoubleTree, and others); and (4) education program fees and community support for youth programming. Ticket prices range from $8-$17 for youth, $15-$20 for students, and $14-$39 for adult general admission, with group discounts of 15-20% for 10+ attendees. Distribution is primarily through the Gallo Center ticketing platform (online, phone, in-person), with direct online links from modestosymphony.org.

Operationally, MSO runs a lean staff of 11-50 employees, supplemented by contracted musicians and guest artists such as Branford Marsalis, Capathia Jenkins, Anne Akiko Meyers, and Tony DeSare. Technology is conventional nonprofit infrastructure: a Squarespace website, Gallo Center's ticketing system, iDonate for donations, and AudienceAccess for digital program books. The organization holds no patents, has no disclosed funding rounds, and is governed independently as a charitable entity with no parent company.

Name

Modesto Symphony Orchestra

Legal name

Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association

Website

https://modestosymphony.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded circa 1930 that presents professional orchestral concerts, film-in-concert performances, and youth music education programs for the Modesto and Central Valley community from its Resident Company base at the Gallo Center for the Arts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Modesto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Concert Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets and subscription packages for orchestral performances at the Gallo Center for the Arts and other venues.
2. Individual Donations: Charitable contributions from individual donors including annual giving, planned giving, and endowment support. Processed through iDonate online donation platform.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Season partner sponsorships and event-specific corporate sponsorship from companies including Gallo, Rogers Family Foundation, Boyett Petroleum, and others.
4. Education Programs: Fees and community support for youth orchestra programs, including MSYO and Link Up educational outreach initiatives serving local students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) produces and performs live orchestral music through a seasonal series of concerts including a Classics Series, Pops Series, holiday concerts, outdoor family events (Picnic at the Pops!), and live-to-film movie concerts (e.g., Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Pixar in Concert). The organization also delivers music education programs such as the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) for grades 5-12 and the Link Up classroom program, and operates the MSO Chorus.

Product overview

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra offers a comprehensive portfolio of orchestral music experiences through multiple concert series and educational programs. The organization operates three primary concert series: the Classics Series featuring traditional orchestral repertoire led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh; the Pops Series conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray encompassing popular music, film scores, and themed concerts; and special outdoor events like Picnic at the Pops!. The MSO also presents annual holiday programming including Holiday Pops! and the intimate Holiday Candlelight Concert at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Educational offerings include the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) for students grades 5-12, the Link Up classroom program, and the MSO Chorus performing major choral-orchestral works. The organization celebrated its 95th season in 2025-26 and its 96th season in 2026-27.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Classics Series Professional orchestral concerts featuring classical repertoire including symphonies, concertos, and works by composers such as Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Haydn, and Rimsky-Korsakov, led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh. Targeted at classical music patrons and subscribers.
• Pops Series Popular music concerts featuring guest artists, film scores performed live to film, and themed performances, conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray. Targeted at families and broad audiences.
• Picnic at the Pops! Family-friendly outdoor concert series held at GALLO Grounds featuring popular music, tribute concerts, and community entertainment. The September 12, 2026 edition features 'Country Hits: Songs from Nashville' with Ryan Murray conducting.
• Holiday Pops! Annual holiday concert series featuring festive carols, guest Broadway artists such as Capathia Jenkins, and the MSO Chorus performing seasonal favorites. Targeted at families and holiday audiences.
• Holiday Candlelight Concert Intimate holiday concert held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church featuring the MSO Chorus, Opus Handbell Ensemble, and traditional holiday repertoire. The 2026 edition is on December 15 with Daniel R. Afonso Jr. conducting.
• Movie in Concert Full-length films shown with the iconic score performed live by the MSO, including Star Wars: A New Hope, Jurassic Park, Pixar in Concert, Fantasia, and Indiana Jones, licensed via Disney Concerts. Targeted at film fans and families.
• Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) Youth education program comprising a Symphony Orchestra and Concert Orchestra for students in grades 5-12 from schools throughout the Central Valley. Led by MSYO Music Director Elisha Wells and Concert Orchestra Conductor Stephanie Rawls.
• Link Up School-year program that connects classrooms across the Central Valley to the orchestra through a sequential music curriculum, culminating in a side-by-side concert with the MSO.
• MSO Chorus Professional choral ensemble performing alongside the orchestra on major works including Haydn's The Creation, Carmina Burana, Verdi's Requiem, and holiday programs. Directed by Daniel R. Afonso Jr.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96th season demonstrates sustained institutional longevity and community support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sacramento Youth SymphonyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 January 2026Host organization for Sierra Youth Orchestra Festival bringing together five premier youth orchestras for a community concert event.
• Gallo Center for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary venue partner and official ticketing provider. MSO is a Resident Company of the Gallo Center for the Arts, performing most concerts at the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater at 1000 I Street, Modesto.
• Disney ConcertscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing partner for Disney and Pixar film concerts including Fantasia in Concert, Pixar in Concert, and Star Wars in Concert performances.
• Central West BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual collaboration for Swan Lake production, combining MSO orchestral performance with ballet choreography by artistic director René Daveluy.
• DoubleTree by Hilton ModestominorOthersOfficial hotel of the MSO, providing accommodation services for visiting artists and guests.
• Ballet Folklórico AnáhuacminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to explore dance and music of Márquez's Fandango in pre-concert performance before February 2026 concerts.
• Season Partners (Gallo, Rogers Family Foundation, Beardland, Boyett Petroleum, Porges Family Foundation, DoubleTree, Wille Electric, NB IT, Visit Modesto)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors providing financial and in-kind support for the symphony's seasons and specific concert series.
• Napa Valley Youth Symphony, Reno Phil Youth Symphony Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphony Youth OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional youth orchestras participating in the Sierra Youth Orchestra Festival alongside MSYO.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• San Francisco Symphony: Internationally recognized major U.S. orchestra with substantially larger budget, broader programming, and major donor base. Sets the upper-quality benchmark that regional California orchestras including MSO compete against for subscriber and donor dollars within reachable market distance.
• Pacific Symphony: Orange County-based largest regional orchestra in Southern California with significantly larger operating budget, broader program portfolio (including opera, film), and major artist roster. Established incumbent competing for California patrons at larger scale.

Direct peers

• Fresno Philharmonic: Fresno-based regional symphony serving California's Central Valley with comparable scale, multi-series programming (Classics, Pops, chamber), and similar educational programming. MSO's closest geographic and demographic peer.
• California Symphony: Walnut Creek-based regional orchestra with similar subscription and educational programming model. Comparable scale to MSO with a young-conductor artistic profile and Bay Area regional operations.
• Reno Philharmonic: Reno-based regional orchestra serving Nevada/northern California with comparable scale, multi-series programming, and a youth orchestra program. Co-participates with MSYO in the Sierra Youth Orchestra Festival.
• Santa Rosa Symphony: Sonoma County regional symphony operating at comparable scale with full Classics/Pops season, family programming, and youth orchestra. Co-participates with MSO in the Sierra Youth Orchestra Festival — direct structural peer.
• Stockton Symphony: Stockton-based regional orchestra serving Northern San Joaquin Valley with similar operating scale, Classics/Pops format, and youth education programming. Direct geographic and structural peer to MSO.
• Napa Valley Symphony: Northern California regional orchestra of comparable scale serving Napa Valley with multi-concert season programming and education outreach. Operates within regional commuting distance of MSO patrons.
• Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra: Kern County regional orchestra in California's Central Valley with comparable operating scale, multi-series season, and education programming. Demographic and geographic peer within the same California corridor.
• Sacramento Philharmonic: Sacramento-based regional professional orchestra operating on similar subscription series model with comparable scale and educational outreach. Geographic peer competing for Central Valley/Sacramento-region patrons.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/modestosymphony
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ModestoSymphony
• Facebookfacebook.com/ModestoSymphony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/modesto-symphony-orchestra
• Instagraminstagram.com/ModestoSymphony

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Modesto Symphony Orchestra