Folsom Lake Symphony
Folsom Lake Symphony is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional orchestra serving as the resident ensemble at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom, California, presenting a five-concert mainstage season plus community enrichment concerts for Northern California audiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersFolsom, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Folsom Lake Symphony does
Folsom Lake Symphony is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional orchestra founded in 2004 in Folsom, California, and currently operating in its 23rd season (2026-27). It serves as the resident orchestra at the Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College and operates with a roster of over 70 professional musicians under Music Director Peter Jaffe (appointed 2014), with all administrative functions handled by volunteers — the firm has only 1-10 paid employees.
The organization's core product is approximately ten annual performances per season: a five-concert mainstage subscription series featuring internationally recognized guest soloists and canonical orchestral masterworks (Berlioz, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven), plus a community enrichment program of free or low-cost events including Symphony al Fresco outdoor concerts at the Steven Young Amphitheater in El Dorado Hills, Twilight Delight concerts at the Zittel Family Amphitheater, Family Concerts with instrument petting zoo, Young Artist Competition (ages 8-18), and senior outreach programs (in-residence ensemble performances at senior facilities). Season subscriptions (up to 20% savings, sold exclusively via phone/in-person at the Harris Center Box Office) and individual tickets ($56 adult, $16 youth) drive ticket revenue; supplemented by individual donations across six donor tiers from Contributor ($1-499) to Maestro Circle ($10,000+), corporate sponsorships (US Bank, Cummings Properties, Charles Schwab, Eon, Visconti's Ristorante), program advertising, legacy giving (IRA QCDs, Charitable Remainder Trusts, appreciated stock), and Amazon Smile. Distribution is regional within a 60-mile radius of Folsom across Northern California, with the orchestra reporting sold-out audiences for 90% of concerts since inception.
Folsom Lake Symphony firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Folsom Lake Symphony
- Legal name
- Folsom Lake Symphony
- Website
- https://folsomlakesymphony.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Folsom Lake Symphony is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional orchestra serving as the resident ensemble at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom, California, presenting a five-concert mainstage season plus community enrichment concerts for Northern California audiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Folsom Lake Symphony industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Symphony Orchestra
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)
Keywords
Where Folsom Lake Symphony is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Folsom
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Folsom Lake Symphony business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Season subscriptions (5-concert series) with up to 20% savings vs individual tickets. Individual concert tickets sold through Harris Center Box Office. Sold-out audiences for 90% of concerts since inception.
- Individual Donations: Tiered donor circle program with benefits ranging from program listing (Contributor $1-$499) to dinner with Maestro (Maestro Circle $10,000+). Monthly recurring donation option available.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partnerships offering visibility to Northern California business community. Includes Maestro Circle sponsors like Cummings Properties and US Bank.
- Program Advertising: Advertising space sold in concert programs to businesses targeting affluent, loyal audiences. Rates available per season or individual concerts.
- Legacy Giving: Planned giving through estate planning, IRA QCD donations (age 70+), life insurance proceeds, appreciated stock donations, and Charitable Remainder Trusts. 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
- Amazon Smile: Charitable giving through Amazon Smile program, allowing patrons to designate the symphony as their charity of choice.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Season Subscription (5-concert series) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Concert Tickets |
| Subscription | Annual | Contributor ($1-$499) |
| Subscription | Annual | Patron ($500-$999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Orchestra ($1,000-$2,499) |
| Subscription | Annual | Concertmaster ($2,500-$4,999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Composer ($5,000-$9,999) |
| Subscription | Annual | Maestro Circle ($10,000+) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Folsom Lake Symphony product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Folsom Lake Symphony presents approximately ten symphonic performances annually through a five-concert mainstage subscription season and a community enrichment concert series at the Harris Center for the Arts. The orchestra of over 70 musicians also delivers educational outreach programs including school performances, senior community engagement, family concerts with instrument petting zoos, the annual Young Artist Competition, and free outdoor concerts across Folsom and Northern California.
Product overview
Folsom Lake Symphony is a nonprofit regional orchestra serving as the premier orchestra for Folsom and surrounding communities, and resident orchestra at the Harris Center for the Arts. The organization's core offering consists of approximately ten annual symphonic performances organized into a mainstage concert season featuring internationally acclaimed guest soloists and orchestral masterworks, supplemented by a Community Enrichment Concert series of free and low-cost outdoor and indoor events. The portfolio includes five mainstage concerts per season showcasing works by composers such as Berlioz, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven; Community Enrichment Programs encompassing outdoor concerts (Symphony al Fresco, Twilight Delight), Family Concerts with instrument petting zoo experiences, and the annual Young Artist Competition for ages 8-18. Supporting services include a tiered Donor Circle giving program, Legacy Giving estate planning options, Corporate Sponsorship partnerships, Program Advertising, and a Volunteer Program. The organization is led by Music Director Peter Jaffe with a roster of over 70 dedicated musicians.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mainstage Concert Season with Season Subscriptions A five-concert subscription series presented at the Harris Center for the Arts featuring major orchestral works and guest soloists. Subscribers receive up to 20% savings and exclusive early seat selection before general public release. The 2026-27 season includes works by Berlioz, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven Symphony No. 9.
- Community Enrichment Concerts Free and low-cost outdoor and indoor community concerts including Symphony al Fresco at El Dorado Hills, Twilight Delight at Folsom Historic District, family concerts with instrument petting zoos, and Young Artists Recitals at Harris Center Stage 3.
- Senior Outreach Programs Three senior engagement programs offering free concert tickets to senior communities, in-residence ensemble performances at senior facilities, and craft activities accompanied by symphony music. Targets community-dwelling and residential seniors to address social isolation and cognitive health.
- Young Artist Competition Annual competition for young musicians ages 8-18 offering cash awards, performance opportunities including the Young Artists Recital, and the chance to perform with the symphony at the Spring Family Concert. Supported by US Bank through the Georgette Pauwels and Réal Desrochers Grant for Emerging Artists.
- Community Enrichment Program Comprehensive outreach initiative including school performances by symphony musicians and guest artists to augment arts education lost to school budget cuts, family concerts with instrument petting zoo, and educational enrichment for underserved communities.
- Donor Circle Giving Program Tiered individual giving program with six donor levels: Contributor ($1-$499), Patron ($500-$999), Orchestra ($1,000-$2,499), Concertmaster ($2,500-$4,999), Composer ($5,000-$9,999), and Maestro Circle ($10,000+). Benefits escalate from program listing to private events with the Music Director, complimentary tickets, and exclusive receptions. Monthly recurring donation option available.
- Legacy Giving Planned giving program through estate planning, including IRA charitable distributions for donors age 70+, life insurance proceeds, appreciated stock donations, and Charitable Remainder Trusts. Operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- Corporate Sponsorship Business partnership program targeting Northern California companies offering visibility, association with arts and community outreach, client entertainment opportunities, and benefits such as complimentary tickets, program recognition, and exclusive donor events.
- Program Advertising Advertising space sold in concert programs to businesses targeting affluent, loyal symphony audiences in the Folsom and greater Sacramento region. Advertising rates available per season or for individual concerts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of concerts sold out since inception
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Folsom Lake Symphony
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Folsom Lake Symphony technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Folsom Lake Symphony partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Visconti's RistoranteminorNearby restaurant that is a proud sponsor, offering dining options for concert-goers.
- Amazon SmileminorCharitable giving program allowing patrons to designate Folsom Lake Symphony as their charity of choice when shopping on Amazon.
- Live on the BlvdminorPartner organization for outdoor concerts at El Dorado Hills Town Center, providing venue and event coordination.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Folsom Lake Symphony competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- San Francisco Symphony: Major US symphony and cultural flagship for Northern California; competes indirectly for the region's symphonic music audience, donor dollars, and corporate sponsors, while FLS's guest soloists often have SFS affiliations.
- Pacific Symphony: Larger California regional orchestra in Orange County serving a broader and more affluent catchment; a model for what FLS could scale toward but operating with materially greater resources and programming.
Direct peers
- Stockton Symphony: Regional Central Valley symphony with comparable community orchestra scale and mission; FLS VP Julia Earle previously played with the Stockton Symphony, evidencing shared regional musician talent market.
- Modesto Symphony Orchestra: Northern California regional symphony of similar size and community-orchestra model; also shares musician overlap with FLS based on Julia Earle's prior tenure there.
- Auburn Symphony: Community symphony in the greater Sacramento/Foothills region; notably, FLS Board President Anson Wong also performs with Auburn Symphony, indicating direct artistic overlap in the same musician pool.
- Sacramento Philharmonic: Regional symphony orchestra serving the greater Sacramento metropolitan area; closest direct competitor for season ticket buyers, corporate sponsors, and donor dollars in the same 60-mile catchment as Folsom Lake Symphony.
Regional players
- Reno Philharmonic: Regional symphony serving a comparable inland-Northern-California/Nevada catchment; similar size, subscription-based business model, and community enrichment programs, though operating in a different state.
- California Symphony: Bay Area community orchestra in Walnut Creek with similar regional orchestra scale and educational programming focus; FLS board member Pamela Buck received a 1996 Women of Achievement Award for her work in Walnut Creek music, evidencing personnel overlap.
- Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra: Central Valley community orchestra of comparable scale and operational model, serving a similarly mid-sized California market with subscription, education, and community programming.
Others
- B Street Theatre: Sacramento-area performing arts organization competing for the same discretionary entertainment spend, corporate sponsors, and donor base; provides perspective on FLS's positioning within the broader Sacramento performing-arts ecosystem rather than within symphonic music specifically.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Folsom Lake Symphony social profiles
Digital presenceFolsom Lake Symphony financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Folsom Lake Symphony leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Folsom Lake Symphony funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Folsom Lake Symphony 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 Folsom Lake Symphony
What does Folsom Lake Symphony do?
Folsom Lake Symphony presents approximately ten symphonic performances annually through a five-concert mainstage subscription season and a community enrichment concert series at the Harris Center for the Arts. The orchestra of over 70 musicians also delivers educational outreach programs including school performances, senior community engagement, family concerts with instrument petting zoos, the annual Young Artist Competition, and free outdoor concerts across Folsom and Northern California.
Is Folsom Lake Symphony a public or private company?
Folsom Lake Symphony is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Folsom Lake Symphony founded?
Folsom Lake Symphony was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Folsom Lake Symphony based?
Folsom Lake Symphony is headquartered in Folsom, United States, in the North America region.
How does Folsom Lake Symphony make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, corporate Sponsorship, program Advertising, legacy Giving and amazon Smile.
Who are Folsom Lake Symphony's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are San Francisco Symphony and Pacific Symphony. Direct peers are Stockton Symphony, Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Auburn Symphony and Sacramento Philharmonic. Regional players are Reno Philharmonic, California Symphony and Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra. B Street Theatre is listed as an others.
Does Folsom Lake Symphony have an API?
No public API is recorded for Folsom Lake Symphony.
What industry is Folsom Lake Symphony in?
Folsom Lake Symphony's product category is Symphony Orchestra. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAFAA, Concerts & Music Festivals, with a secondary code of EDAMANAC, Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir). Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.