What Arlington Philharmonic does

The Arlington Philharmonic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional orchestra founded in 2006 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It operates as a community-based performing arts organization, presenting live symphonic concerts, chamber music festivals, and music education programs, currently in its 20th season (2025-2026). The organization serves Arlington-area audiences including concertgoers, K-12 and pre-college music students, local schools, and a network of community and cultural partner organizations. Artistic leadership is provided by Music Director A. Scott Wood (in role since April 2010, also affiliated with Virginia Opera and the Washington National Opera), with governance led by Board President Kristin Gomez. The organization employs approximately 9 staff members and runs no proprietary technology platform; its core "product" is live orchestral performance supplemented by recorded audio and in-person instruction.

The orchestra's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack. Earned income includes Crescendo Youth Chamber Music Program tuition (approximately $825 per student), an Audio Membership Program with tiers ranging from $40 to $300 that includes digital downloads, musician booking fees, and special event proceeds. Contributed income comprises individual donations organized across a multi-tier donor recognition program from $0 to $20,000+, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and institutional funding from sources including Arlington County, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Kiwanis Club of Arlington. Free public concerts anchor the community-mission positioning and serve as the primary audience-acquisition funnel, while paid Crescendo tuition and audio memberships provide the modest earned-revenue layer. Go-to-market is community- and partnership-driven rather than commercial, with audience reach extended via collaborations with the Arlington Arts Alliance, the Black Heritage Museum, and the NOVA Hispanic American Chamber, among others.

Name

Arlington Philharmonic

Legal name

Arlington Philharmonic

Website

https://arlingtonphilharmonic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Arlington Philharmonic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional orchestra founded in 2006 in Arlington, Virginia, presenting live symphonic concerts, youth chamber music training (Crescendo), and audio memberships for community audiences and students, funded via donations, grants, and earned program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Symphony Orchestra / Performing Arts

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Virtual Concerts & Music Festivals (Livestreamed Performances) (MPAGAOAD)

Keywords

• Professional symphony orchestra
• Classical music concerts
• Youth chamber music program
• Music education outreach
• Private event music booking

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The primary revenue stream consists of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants. Arlington Philharmonic concerts are supported solely by grants, sponsorship, and donations. Tax-deductible contributions are accepted online through Square, PayPal Giving Fund, Venmo, or by mail. Recurring monthly donations available. Supported by Arlington County Cultural Affairs, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts.
2. Crescendo Program Membership Fees: Annual membership fee for the Crescendo youth chamber music program is $825 for the 2026-2027 season. Membership includes weekly coaching by professional musicians and at least two performances per year. Payment plans available (1/2 payment option at $412.50).
3. Audio Membership Program: Digital audio memberships providing downloads of recorded performances. Soloist Audio Membership at $40 per recording, Concert Audio Membership at $100 per recording, Complete Soloist Audio Membership at $250 for all recordings, Complete Concert Audio Membership at $300 for all orchestral programs.
4. Special Event Tickets: Some special events require paid admission. Examples include 'An Evening of Music and Magic' fundraiser at $60/ticket and 'Winter Winds Concert and Fundraiser' at $50/ticket. Tree Fest annual fundraising event at Ireland's Four Provinces restaurant.
5. Musician Booking Service: Professional musicians available for hire for private events including weddings, receptions, house concerts, and parties. Full orchestra booking available. Prices based on number of musicians and length of event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Arlington Philharmonic is a nonprofit professional symphony orchestra that delivers free public classical music concerts throughout Arlington County, Virginia. Its offerings include three indoor full orchestra concerts per season plus outdoor performances (Pops in the Park and Symphony in the City). Supporting programs include the Crescendo youth chamber music program, a private musician booking service for events, the AP Audio Membership Program with digital concert recordings, and the AP Music Education Hub with children's music content.

Product overview

The Arlington Philharmonic is a nonprofit professional symphony orchestra offering a portfolio of live music products and services to the Arlington, Virginia community. The core offering is free full orchestra concerts performed three times annually plus outdoor summer performances. Supporting programs include the Crescendo Youth Chamber Music Program for middle and high school musicians with weekly coaching and recitals; a Hire a Musician service for private event bookings; a Digital Listening Library and AP Audio Membership Program providing video and audio recordings of performances; and the AP Music Education Hub with children's programming and instrument education. The organization also operates a Donor Benefits Program with tiered giving levels offering recognition and exclusive access to rehearsals and performances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Crescendo: The Arlington Philharmonic Youth Chamber Program - a chamber music program for middle and high school strings and wind players.

Products and services

• Full Orchestra Concerts Arlington County's premiere professional orchestra performances featuring three classical concerts annually at various Arlington venues plus outdoor Pops in the Park concerts at Lubber Run Amphitheater and Symphony in the City at National Landing Water Park. All regular performances are free and open to the public.
• Crescendo Youth Chamber Music Program A chamber music program for middle and high school string and wind players, offering weekly coaching by professional musicians, ensemble leadership training, and at least two recital performances per year. Annual membership fee is $825 for the 2026-2027 season with payment plans available.
• Hire a Musician Booking service offering different groups of professional musicians for private events including weddings, receptions, house concerts, and parties. Full orchestra booking is available. Prices are based on number of musicians and event length.
• Digital Listening Library Archive of audio recordings and video excerpts of soloist performances from the last decade, including performances by National Symphony Orchestra and Oregon Symphony members. Accessible for viewing and via paid audio downloads.
• AP Audio Membership Program Digital audio membership program offering downloads of recorded performances. Tiers include Soloist Audio Membership ($40 per recording), Concert Audio Membership ($100 per recording), Complete Soloist Audio Membership ($250), and Complete Concert Audio Membership ($300).
• AP Music Education Hub Digital music education content including Story Time videos with Philharmonic members reading music-related children's books, Meet the Instruments of the Orchestra videos, and conductor education resources.
• Donor Benefits Program Tax-deductible donation program with multiple giving tiers offering recognition and benefits including concert program acknowledgment, dress rehearsal invitations, private ensemble performances, and musician/soloist sponsorships ranging from Friends (under $100) to Benefactors Circle ($10,000-$20,000).

Quantifiable outcome

• Free public access to professional symphony orchestra
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arlington County (Arlington Cultural Affairs / Arlington Economic Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArlington County provides primary governmental support through the Arlington Cultural Affairs division of Arlington Economic Development and the Arlington Commission for the Arts. This is the primary public funding source for the Philharmonic's operations and concerts.
• Virginia Commission for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Commonwealth of Virginia supports the Philharmonic through the Virginia Commission for the Arts, providing state-level funding for arts programming.
• National Endowment for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal arts funding through the National Endowment for the Arts supports the Philharmonic's programming and operations.
• Kiwanis Club of ArlingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKiwanis Club of Arlington provides partial support for the Crescendo youth chamber music program, supporting music education for middle and high school students.
• Arlington Public Schools Office of Arts EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Arlington Public Schools Office of Arts Education for the Jingle Jam holiday concert, including Kenmore Middle School and Gunston Middle School musicians playing side-by-side with professionals.
• Foxes Music CompanyminorOthersLocal business sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• McEnearney AssociatesminorOthersLocal business sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• Brobst Violin ShopminorOthersLocal business sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• Clarendon Wealth ManagementminorOthersLocal business sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• Kiwanis Club of ArlingtonminorOthersCommunity organization sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• Wendroff & AssociatesminorOthersLocal business sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• JBG SmithminorOthersLocal business sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• Encore LearningminorOthersCommunity organization sponsor for the 2023-2024 season.
• Arlington Arts AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Woodwind Quartet and Chamber Music Concert at Central United Methodist Church as part of the Arlington Arts Alliance art show in February 2026.
• Black Heritage Museum of ArlingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the String Ensemble Concert celebrating African American Culture and Heritage in Arlington, April 2026 at Bennett Park Arts Atrium.
• NOVA Hispanic American Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the String Ensemble Concert celebrating Latino Culture and Heritage in Arlington, May 2026.
• Arlington Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Brass Ensemble Concert celebrating Arlington's Young Professionals, May 2026 at National Landing Water Park.
• Military Veterans Advisory CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Arlington Philharmonic Brass Quintet honoring Arlington's military veterans, September 2025 at Shirlington Library Plaza.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Amadeus Orchestra: Community orchestra in the same DMV region also led by Music Director A. Scott Wood. Operationally and artistically intertwined with Arlington Philharmonic through shared leadership and likely shared musicians.
• Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Northern Virginia community professional orchestra operating within the same DMV donor and sponsor pool as Arlington Philharmonic. Comparable scale, concert cadence, and educational mission make it the closest behavioral peer.
• Alexandria Symphony Orchestra: Adjacent DMV community professional orchestra serving Alexandria, just across the Potomac from Arlington. Directly competes for corporate sponsors, school partnerships, and residential subscribers in overlapping zip codes.
• Montgomery Symphony Orchestra: Maryland-based community orchestra also directed by A. Scott Wood. Shares artistic leadership, governance model, and community-orchestra programming structure with Arlington Philharmonic.
• National Philharmonic: DC-area nonprofit professional orchestra presenting multi-concert seasons and youth outreach. Closely comparable on repertoire scope, nonprofit funding mix, and education programming depth.

Broad incumbents

• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Major Mid-Atlantic professional orchestra with an education and community engagement division. Sets the regional standard against which smaller community orchestras like Arlington Philharmonic are benchmarked for programming and education depth.
• National Symphony Orchestra: The Kennedy Center's resident professional orchestra serving the entire DC metropolitan area. Operates far above Arlington Philharmonic's scale but competes for the same high-end donor pool, classical audience attention, and corporate sponsorships.

Emerging players

• American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras: DMV youth orchestra with which A. Scott Wood has prior conducting involvement. Comparable on youth-education mission and engages overlapping middle and high school musician pools as Crescendo.

Regional players

• Richmond Symphony: Virginia's statewide professional orchestra serving the Richmond region. Comparable on the combination of public funding (including state arts commission support), educational programming, and donor-supported free concert offerings.
• Virginia Symphony Orchestra: Hampton Roads-based professional orchestra within the same Commonwealth of Virginia funding ecosystem. Comparable on state arts commission reliance and youth-education programs, though operating from a different Virginia region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-VxIQVq0CSM6jYaf92Ik-A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arlington-philharmonic-orchestra

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 Arlington Philharmonic