WICHITA FALLS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

What WICHITA FALLS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC does

The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional symphony orchestra based in Wichita Falls, Texas. The organization traces its origins to the Wichita Falls Symphony Society, which was first organized in 1920/1921 and was formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 1947. It is the only professional symphony orchestra serving the Wichita Falls metropolitan area and operates as a resident ensemble across approximately eight venues, with Memorial Auditorium (under renovation 2024–2027) serving as its primary performance home.

The orchestra fields approximately 70 professional musicians under the artistic direction of its 8th Music Director, Dr. Fouad Fakhouri (appointed 2017), supported by a small administrative team of approximately 5 staff. Its core products are live orchestral concert performances delivered across a full subscription season, supplemented by education and youth programs that reach 2,000+ students across 20+ schools annually. The organization uses CueBox as its ticketing platform; no other proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or digital product line is disclosed.

The orchestra's revenue model is a typical nonprofit performing arts construct: diversified across ticket sales, subscriptions, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, program advertising, education program fees, and special gifts. Audience segments include individual concertgoers, subscribers, school-age students, military personnel, and senior audiences, with corporate sponsors constituting a distinct institutional revenue lane. The organization estimates $1.5 million in total community impact for FY 2024–2025, though this figure reflects programming value delivered rather than operating revenue.

Name

WICHITA FALLS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC

Legal name

Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra Inc

Website

https://wfso.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra Inc is a nonprofit professional symphony orchestra in Wichita Falls, Texas, founded in 1947. It employs approximately 70 musicians and 5 administrative staff, serving local audiences, students, and corporate sponsors through live concerts and education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Symphony Orchestra / Performing Arts

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music (Instruments, Voice, Music Theory) (EDAAAGAC), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

Keywords

• Live symphony concerts
• Music education programs
• Season subscriptions
• Community arts programming
• Performing arts services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Single concert tickets sold online, by phone, or through WFSO box office. Adult tickets starting at $28, student tickets $10, with discounts available for military and seniors.
2. Season Subscriptions: Full Season and Pick 3 subscription packages offering priority seating and up to 20% savings off single-ticket prices.
3. Annual Fund Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting concerts, education programs, guest artists, and day-to-day operations. Ticket sales cover only a small portion of expenses.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Concert sponsorship opportunities allowing businesses to align with WFSO performances while connecting with engaged community audience.
5. Concert Program Advertising: Advertisement placements in printed concert programs reaching approximately 3,500 concertgoers throughout the season.
6. Education Programs: Free Young People's Concert (100% free for students and teachers), Artist-in-Residence instruction, with programming supported by donors and sponsors.
7. Special Gifts: Endowments, planned gifts, tribute and memorial gifts, stock gifts, and matching gifts ensuring long-term sustainability and creating lasting legacy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra produces and presents professional live symphonic concerts, pops performances, and family programming featuring an ensemble of approximately 70 professional musicians. It also delivers a suite of music education programs for students and schools (Young People's Concert, Artist-in-Residence, Instrument Petting Zoo, In-School Masterclasses, and Apprentice Program with the Youth Symphony) and sells tickets, season subscriptions, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising/donation products to support operations.

Product overview

The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra is a professional symphony orchestra serving Wichita Falls and North Texas since 1920, offering live symphonic concerts, pops performances, and family programming. The organization operates a comprehensive suite of music education programs including the Young People's Concert (serving 1,500+ students annually), Artist-in-Residence instruction in WFISD schools, Instrument Petting Zoo, In-School Masterclasses, the Apprentice Program with the Youth Symphony, and Paint with the Music cross-curricular initiative. Ticket products include Full Season and Pick Three subscriptions along with single concert admission. The development portfolio encompasses Annual Fund appeals, corporate sponsorships, concert program advertising, the Share Your Seat ticket donation program, and endowment funds. Educational content extends through At Home Music Education Resources linking to external platforms. The orchestra partners with the separate nonprofit Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra for youth development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Symphonic Concerts Professional symphony orchestra performances featuring classical and pops repertoire, world-class guest artists, and themed concerts presented across multiple venues in the Wichita Falls / North Texas region.
• Young People's Concert Free annual concert for elementary school students that introduces orchestral instruments, musical storytelling, and live symphony performance to more than 1,500 students each year.
• Artist-in-Residence Program WFSO professional musicians provide individualized instruction, sectionals, and mentorship for student musicians in WFISD middle and high schools, delivering 600+ hours of instruction annually.
• Instrument Petting Zoo Hands-on educational program allowing students to explore orchestral instrument families and discover how each instrument produces its unique sound.
• In-School Masterclasses Guest artists and WFSO musicians visit local schools to perform, teach, and share insights about music and careers in the arts.
• Apprentice Program with the Youth Symphony Advanced student musicians from the Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra rehearse and perform alongside WFSO musician mentors, gaining professional orchestral experience.
• Paint with the Music Cross-curricular program connecting music and visual arts education for Region 9 elementary students, whose artwork inspired by WFSO season selections is displayed at live concerts.
• Season Subscriptions Full Season and Pick Three subscription packages that offer priority seating, subscriber savings up to 20% off single-ticket prices, and exclusive subscriber events.
• Single Concert Tickets Individual concert admission tickets available online, by phone, or through the WFSO box office, with adult tickets starting at $28 and student tickets at $10.
• Corporate Sponsorship Concert sponsorship opportunities for businesses to support WFSO while connecting with an engaged Texoma audience through customized sponsorship packages.
• Concert Program Advertising Advertisement placements in WFSO printed concert programs, reaching approximately 3,500 concertgoers throughout the season.
• Annual Fund WFSO's largest annual fundraising effort providing critical tax-deductible support for concerts, education programs, guest artists, and day-to-day operations.
• Endowment Funds Permanent endowment gifts providing lasting support for WFSO's artistic excellence, education initiatives, and community impact for future generations.
• Share Your Seat Ticket Donation Program Season subscribers can donate tickets they cannot use prior to a concert and receive a tax-deductible donation receipt while WFSO resells or gifts the seats to community guests.
• At Home Music Education Resources Curated digital music education resources for families and teachers, including Kids Corner activities and curated links to external platforms such as Classics for Kids, Chrome Music Lab, San Francisco Symphony Kids, MusicTheory.net, PBS Kids Music Games, Carnegie Hall Educators Toolbox, and Classic FM Discover Music.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000+ students, teachers, and families reached annually through education programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wichita Falls Youth Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate nonprofit organization serving students from elementary through high school. WFSO collaborates through the Apprentice Program allowing select students to perform alongside professional WFSO musicians during concerts. Both organizations share commitment to fostering lifelong appreciation for music in Texoma.
• Wichita Falls ISDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partnering for education programs. WFSO Artist-in-Residence program collaborates with middle and high school orchestra directors at WFISD schools. Over 20 schools participate in WFSO education programs annually.
• Midwestern State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to Akin Auditorium (422-seat venue) where many performances are held. MSU Department of Music performance facility. WFSO performs there during Memorial Auditorium renovation. Faculty member Dr. Ruth Morrow performs with orchestra.
• Con PotenciaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHispanic cultural organization collaborating on Estrellas y Sinfónicas annual celebration of Hispanic culture through music, dance, and community.
• Zavala International DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDance company presenting colorful choreography showcasing Hispanic culture through movement and storytelling at Estrellas y Sinfónicas.
• Mariachi AlegreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming ensemble returning for third annual Estrellas y Sinfónicas with Latin jazz and mariachi performances alongside WFSO Jazz Ensemble.
• Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts alliance included in community partners listing on WFSO supporter page.
• Arts Council WFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts council listed as community partner on WFSO supporter page.
• Sheppard Air Force BaseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWFSO extends complimentary tickets to active airmen and women from Sheppard Air Force Base. Listed as community partner.
• KCCU Public RadiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic radio station listed as community partner. Potential collaboration for broadcast or promotion of performances.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra: A Michigan regional symphony where WFSO Music Director Fouad Fakhouri was named Music Director in 2016. Comparable as a small-to-mid-market regional symphony with classical seasons and education programming.
• Amarillo Symphony Orchestra: A regional Texas symphony serving the Texas Panhandle with parallel mission of live symphonic concerts, education programs, and community engagement. Highly comparable as a Panhandle/Texas regional orchestra with similar operational scale and programming mix.
• Midland Symphony Orchestra: A West Texas regional symphony serving the Permian Basin with classical concert seasons and education programming. Closely analogous in scale and market profile to WFSO as a smaller-market Texas symphony.
• Lubbock Symphony Orchestra: A regional Texas symphony serving a similarly-sized West Texas city with comparable scope of classical concert programming, education outreach, and ticketed season offerings. Closely comparable as a small-to-mid-market Texas symphony orchestra with community-based operations.
• San Angelo Symphony: A West Texas regional symphony serving a similarly-sized mid-market city with classical seasons and education programming. Closely analogous as a small-market Texas symphony orchestra reliant on ticketing, donations, and community support.
• Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra: A North Carolina regional symphony where WFSO Music Director Fouad Fakhouri previously served as Music Director and Conductor from 2004-2016. Directly comparable in scale and community-symphony structure to WFSO, with shared artistic lineage through the Music Director.

Broad incumbents

• Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: A larger, more established Texas symphony serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with multiple concert series, pops programming, and education initiatives. Directly comparable as a regional Texas symphony offering classical concerts, education programs, and ticketed seasons, though operating at significantly larger scale than WFSO.
• Dallas Symphony Orchestra: A major Texas symphony with extensive classical seasons, education programs, and a historic performance venue (Meyerson Symphony Center). Provides a market-incumbent reference point within Texas, though operating at substantially larger scale and resource base than WFSO.
• Oklahoma City Philharmonic: A larger regional symphony serving Oklahoma with multi-concert seasons, pops programming, and education initiatives. Comparable business model as a ticketed symphony in a mid-size market adjacent to WFSO's Texoma service area, but at meaningfully larger operational scale.

Others

• Wichita Falls Youth Symphony Orchestra: A separate nonprofit youth orchestra serving Wichita Falls students from elementary through high school. Operationally and organizationally distinct but a direct ecosystem partner of WFSO through the Apprentice Program, making it the most adjacent performing-arts peer in the same market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wichita-falls-symphony-orchestra-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 WICHITA FALLS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC