THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST
The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is a 501(c)(3) community orchestra founded in 1931 that performs live symphonic concerts for the Oak Park, River Forest, and greater Chicago audiences, led since 1965 by Music Director Jay Friedman.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1931
- HeadquartersOak Park, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST does
The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is a 501(c)(3) community orchestra founded in 1931 and based in Oak Park, Illinois, with a 93-year operating history. Its core product is live symphonic music — typically full-orchestra concerts performed at educational and community venues, primarily Dominican University in River Forest and, for major productions, Symphony Center in downtown Chicago — supported by a broader programming slate that includes choral-orchestral works such as Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand (2010) and Beethoven's Missa Solemnis (2012) and themed concerts spanning Bach through Vaughan Williams and Holst. The orchestra is led by Music Director Jay Friedman, who has held the post since 1965 while concurrently serving as Principal Trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and is staffed by a small team of five employees, with the remaining musicians drawn from a volunteer and community-player base.
The business model is a non-profit ticket-and-donation model: revenue is generated from single-ticket and subscription sales (subscriptions priced at $80 for seniors 65+ and $100 for regular adults) combined with a tiered donor program spanning $50 Supporter contributions up to $1,000+ Benefactor gifts. No merchandise, licensing, recording, or commercial product line is indicated in the source material. Operational infrastructure is built on institutional venue partnerships — Concordia University Chicago serves as the primary rehearsal site and Dominican University as the primary performance venue — supplemented by occasional partnerships with other community organizations for choristers and large-scale productions.
No proprietary technology, software platform, or AI/ML component is part of the offering; the product is the live concert experience itself. The organization has accrued repeated recognition from the Illinois Council of Orchestras, including multiple Orchestra of the Year designations and a 2017 Conductor of the Year award to Music Director Jay Friedman, anchoring its reputation in the regional classical music ecosystem.
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST
- Legal name
- The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest
- Website
- https://symphonyoprf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1931
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is a 501(c)(3) community orchestra founded in 1931 that performs live symphonic concerts for the Oak Park, River Forest, and greater Chicago audiences, led since 1965 by Music Director Jay Friedman.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Orchestra / Live Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)
Keywords
Where THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oak Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Concert Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from single-ticket purchases and subscription packages for live orchestral performances. Subscriptions are offered at $100 USD regular and $80 USD for seniors (65+).
- Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the symphony relies on tax-deductible donations from supporters. Contribution categories include Sforzando ($1,000+), Crescendo ($500-$999), Fortissimo ($250-$499), Forte ($100-$249), Mezzo-forte ($50-$99), and Accents ($25-$49).
- Volunteer Services: The organization operates with volunteers who contribute time and expertise to support day-to-day operations, reducing operational costs and enabling the not-for-profit model.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Full Season Subscription |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Donation Tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is a 501(c)(3) community orchestra that produces live symphonic concert performances for the Oak Park, River Forest, and greater Chicago metropolitan area. It sells individual concert tickets and annual subscriptions (priced at $100 regular / $80 seniors 65+) and is supported by tax-deductible donations across six giving tiers ranging from $25 to $1,000+. The orchestra performs classical and symphonic works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Vaughan Williams, Debussy, Holst, and Bizet, conducted by Music Director Jay Friedman.
Product overview
The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest is a community orchestra founded in 1931 that offers live orchestral concert performances as its primary service. The organization provides subscription-based access to its concert season, featuring symphonic works performed by amateur and professional musicians under Music Director Jay Friedman. The symphony's offerings include individual concert tickets and season subscriptions with FlexTix benefits for patrons.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Live Orchestral Concerts
- Concert Season Subscriptions
- Charitable Donation Program
Companies that use THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Concordia UniversitycoreConcordia University in River Forest serves as the primary rehearsal venue for the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. Wednesday evening rehearsals (7:30 PM to 10:00 PM) are held at the university, and concerts such as 'Back to Bach' have been performed at the Concordia University Chapel. This partnership provides essential facilities for the orchestra's operations.
- Dominican UniversitycoreDominican University serves as a performance venue host, with the Performing Arts Center hosting concerts including 'Folk Tales & Legends' and 'Variations on a Paganini Theme'. This partnership enables the symphony to present performances at a professional-quality venue.
- Chicago Symphony OrchestracoreThe Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest benefits from proximity and connections to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Music Director Jay Friedman serves as Principal Trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Several conductors and soloists have come from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ranks, enriching the community orchestra's artistic leadership and talent pool.
- Illinois Council of OrchestrascoreThe Illinois Council of Orchestras (ICO) is the governing body that has awarded the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest multiple awards including Community Orchestra of the Year (2004, 2011), Conductor of the Year (2001, 2011, 2017), and various other recognitions since 1998.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST social profiles
Digital presenceTHE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST 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 THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST
What does THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST do?
The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest is a 501(c)(3) community orchestra that produces live symphonic concert performances for the Oak Park, River Forest, and greater Chicago metropolitan area. It sells individual concert tickets and annual subscriptions (priced at $100 regular / $80 seniors 65+) and is supported by tax-deductible donations across six giving tiers ranging from $25 to $1,000+. The orchestra performs classical and symphonic works by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Vaughan Williams, Debussy, Holst, and Bizet, conducted by Music Director Jay Friedman.
Is THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST a public or private company?
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST founded?
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST was founded in 1931. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST based?
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST is headquartered in Oak Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Concert Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions and volunteer Services.
Does THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST have an API?
No public API is recorded for THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST.
What industry is THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST in?
THE SYMPHONY OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST's product category is Community Orchestra / Live Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAFAA, Concerts & Music Festivals. Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.