Anderson Symphony Orchestra

What Anderson Symphony Orchestra does

The Anderson Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is a nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1967 at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, that produces live orchestral concerts for the Anderson and Madison County community. The ensemble performs a seasonal concert series across three venues — the Paramount Theatre, Reardon Auditorium, and York Hall — and operates educational programming including the ASO Kid's Club (free concert access for children under 18) and Symphony for Kids curriculum for 5th and 6th graders. The orchestra also runs special-event formats such as the Sunset Concert series and Chocolate and Wine Tasting fundraisers, and collaborates with Anderson Young Ballet Theatre on cross-disciplinary productions like Masquerade!.

The ASO generates revenue through three primary streams: concert ticket sales (tiered from $5 for students to $35 for adults, with season subscription packages offering discounted rates), donations and philanthropic giving (via the Ovations ticketing platform and dedicated programs such as Play It Forward), and corporate sponsorships (including legacy sponsors Community Hospital Anderson and Myer's Autoworld). Additional institutional funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, Indiana Arts Commission, and the Community Foundation of Randolph County. Distribution is primarily regional, with tickets sold through the Ovations online ticketing platform, phone sales, and an in-person box office at the ASO's office at 1124 Meridian Plaza.

In April 2024, Maestro Rick Sowers retired after 35 years as Music Director and Conductor, and in 2025 Daniel Wiley — formerly Assistant Conductor with the Cincinnati Symphony and Kansas City Symphony — was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor. The 2026-2027 season (the orchestra's 59th) is branded "Postcards in Sound" and includes themed productions such as Masquerade!, Handel's Messiah, Holiday Pops, Kaleidoscope (in partnership with Anderson University), Italian Café, and Star Wars!. The organization is led by Executive Director Darla Sallee and governed by an independent Board of Directors, with no parent company, institutional investor, or holding entity.

Name

Anderson Symphony Orchestra

Legal name

Anderson Symphony Orchestra

Website

https://andersonsymphony.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Anderson Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1967 at Anderson University that produces live orchestral concert seasons, educational programs, and special events for the Anderson and Madison County, Indiana community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Symphony Orchestra / Performing Arts

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Arts & Culture Community Festivals (Multidisciplinary Arts Weeks) (MPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Live orchestral performances
• Symphony concert series
• Season ticket subscriptions
• Music education programs
• Community performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Anderson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Concert Ticket Sales: The ASO generates revenue through individual concert tickets and season ticket packages. Ticket prices range from $5 for students to $35 for adults. The orchestra sells tickets through its own box office, the Ovations ticketing platform, and at the door.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: The orchestra accepts donations through its website and during events. Donors can contribute via the Ovations ticketing platform. The ASO has an annual fund and various giving programs including Play It Forward.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: The ASO partners with local businesses and organizations for sponsorship. Legacy sponsors include Community Hospital Anderson, Myer's Autoworld, and others. Sponsors receive recognition at events and in marketing materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Anderson Symphony Orchestra produces and presents live orchestral concert performances featuring professional musicians performing classical and contemporary repertoire. The orchestra offers a seasonal concert series (currently the 59th Season "Postcards in Sound"), educational programs for children, and special fundraising events, serving audiences in Anderson and Madison County, Indiana.

Product overview

Anderson Symphony Orchestra is a performing arts organization offering live orchestral concert performances featuring professional musicians. The organization provides a 59th Season concert series ('Postcards in Sound') with themed performances including classical masterworks, holiday programs, and family-friendly events. Supporting programs include the ASO Kid's Club for children and Symphony for Kids educational content. The organization also hosts special events such as Chocolate and Wine Tasting and Sunset Concert series. Tickets and subscriptions are available through the Paramount Theatre venue with multiple performance locations including Reardon Auditorium and York Hall at Anderson University.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Symphony Concert Performances Live orchestral performances featuring professional musicians performing classical and contemporary repertoire, delivered to general audiences in the Anderson and Madison County region at venues including Paramount Theatre, Reardon Auditorium, and York Hall.
• Season Ticket Packages Subscription packages for the concert season providing access to multiple performances with benefits including reserved seating and discounted rates compared to individual ticket purchases.
• ASO Kid's Club Free membership program for children under 18 providing free concert tickets, membership card, bookmark, coupon codes, and exclusive experiences including stage tours, Q&A sessions, and instrument petting zoos.
• Symphony for Kids Educational program for 5th and 6th grade students featuring composer profiles, instrument families, games, and activities to teach orchestral music concepts.
• Chocolate and Wine Tasting Events Special fundraising events featuring wine and chocolate pairings with live entertainment, typically held prior to concert performances, priced at $35 per person for tasting and $55 for a combination tasting and concert ticket.
• ASO Sunset Concert Outdoor evening concert series featuring guest artists, held at local venues with dining partners.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Anderson UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnderson University is the founding institution of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, established in 1967. The university provides venues including Reardon Auditorium and York Hall for ASO performances. The collaboration includes student involvement, venue access, and joint programming with university music programs.
• Anderson Young Ballet TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance collaboration for the 'Masquerade!' concert featuring combined orchestral and ballet performances.
• Community Foundation of Randolph CountyminorOthersFunding support for community programming activities.
• Indiana Arts CommissionminorOthersState arts agency providing funding support for ASO programming activities.
• National Endowment for the ArtsminorOthersFederal arts agency providing grant funding for ASO programming.
• Community Hospital AndersonminorOthersLegacy sponsor and title sponsor for ASO Kid's Club and other programming.
• Myer's AutoworldminorOthersAutomotive dealership serving as title sponsor for Chocolate and Wine Tasting events.
• Paramount TheatrecoreOthersHistoric theater serving as the primary concert venue for Anderson Symphony Orchestra performances.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra: The largest professional symphony orchestra in Indiana, serving as the major metro incumbent. Directly comparable as an Indiana-based symphony orchestra with multi-venue programming, educational outreach, and ticket/donation revenue model, though operating at much larger scale.
• Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Major professional symphony orchestra in adjacent Ohio market where incoming ASO Artistic Director Daniel Wiley previously served as Assistant Conductor. Comparable in artistic standards and orchestral repertoire though at substantially larger scale.

Direct peers

• Muncie Symphony Orchestra: Regional symphony serving east-central Indiana, very close geographically to Anderson. Closest direct comparable in terms of market size, mission, programming structure, and community-university partnership model.
• Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra: Regional symphony serving southwestern Indiana. Comparable operating structure with multi-concert seasons, educational programming, and a similar mix of classical and pops programming in a mid-sized market.
• Fort Wayne Philharmonic: A regional symphony orchestra serving Fort Wayne, Indiana - directly comparable in size, regional scope, multi-concert season format, and education/outreach programs to ASO. Same operating model in another Indiana mid-sized city.
• South Bend Symphony Orchestra: Regional symphony orchestra serving South Bend, Indiana. Comparable in operating model, season programming format, and reliance on ticket sales, donations, and corporate sponsorships in a mid-sized Indiana market.
• Columbus Indiana Philharmonic: Regional Indiana symphony orchestra serving the Columbus market. Closely comparable in regional scope, donor-dependent nonprofit model, and community-education focus.

Regional players

• Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra: Regional symphony serving Dayton, Ohio, near the Indiana border. Comparable regional symphony operating model with multi-concert seasons and educational programs, primarily competing in a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/andersonsymphony
• Facebookfacebook.com/andersonsymphony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/anderson-symphony-orchestra
• Instagraminstagram.com/andersonsymphony

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Anderson Symphony Orchestra