What The Wisconsin Philharmonic does

The Wisconsin Philharmonic, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional symphony orchestra headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin, founded in 1947 as the Waukesha Symphony Orchestra by Carroll College President Nelson Vance Russell. Operating under legal name Wisconsin Philharmonic, Inc., the organization is led by Music Director Alexander Platt (28-year tenure) and delivers five Masterworks concerts per season across four contracted venues — Sharon Lynne Center for the Arts, Oconomowoc Arts Center, Carroll University's Shattuck Auditorium, and Cutler Park — drawing audiences from six counties (Waukesha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Jefferson, Racine). The core product portfolio consists of live orchestral performances featuring world-class soloists and world premieres, supplemented by an extensive music education program that includes Major Classics for Minors (in-school presentations), Maestro Classes, the Masterworks Chamber Music Program, the Shining Stars Competition (up to eight $250 scholarships plus one $1,500 Bryant Award), and the biennial Chapman Memorial Piano Competition for students age 14-20.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue mix spanning earned and contributed income. Earned revenue comes from single-concert tickets ($15 for special family events like the annual JanBoree) and full season subscriptions for the five-concert Masterworks series, sold via the company website, phone (262-547-1858), and in-person at venue box offices (open one hour before performance). Contributed revenue is structured through four-tier corporate sponsorships ranging from $500 (Corporate Supporter) to $15,000+ (Full Season Sponsor) with benefits such as program placement, email-blast exposure to 1,300 patrons, lobby posters, stage mentions, and orchestra seats; plus individual tax-deductible donations accepted by mail, phone, and online. Education program fees include $15 competition application fees and school fees for the Masterworks Chamber Music Festival. The customer base spans individual concert subscribers, corporate sponsors (18+ Season Partners including We Energies Foundation, Waukesha State Bank, Badger Meter, Charles Schwab, Sheraton, and UPAF), K-12 and postsecondary music students, and a network of community nonprofits that share audience through lobby presence and stage recognition. Operations are supported by 29 employees, governance by a volunteer Board of Directors, and external affiliations including the League of American Orchestras and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Name

The Wisconsin Philharmonic

Legal name

Wisconsin Philharmonic, Inc.

Website

https://wisphil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Wisconsin Philharmonic is a 501(c)(3) professional symphony orchestra in Waukesha, Wisconsin, founded in 1947, serving six Southeast Wisconsin counties with five annual Masterworks concerts, tiered corporate sponsorships, music education programs, and scholarships for K-12 students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Symphony Orchestra / Performing Arts

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

Keywords

• Symphony orchestra performances
• Live classical music concerts
• Music education programs
• Youth music scholarships
• Concert ticket subscriptions

Headquarters

HQ city

Waukesha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers ($500 to $15,000+) provide program advertising, logo placement, concert tickets, stage recognition, and email blast listings to sponsor companies seeking brand exposure with a culturally engaged audience.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals support operations, education, and outreach. The organization is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3). Donations can be made by mail, phone, or online.
3. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single concert tickets and full season subscriptions (five concerts) sold via the website, phone, or in person at the office or venue box offices.
4. Education Program Fees: School fees apply for the Masterworks Chamber Music Festival. Application fees of $15 are charged for scholarship competitions (Chapman Memorial Piano Competition, Shining Stars).
5. Special Event Revenue: Concerts such as the annual JanBoree family concert charge $15 general admission for adults while children attend free. Donations and fundraising events also generate revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin Philharmonic is a nonprofit professional symphony orchestra that delivers five annual Masterworks concerts featuring world-renowned soloists, classical repertoire, and world premieres at venues across Southeast Wisconsin. Complementing performances, the Philharmonic runs an education portfolio including Major Classics for Minors (school visits and Instrument Petting Zoos), Maestro Classes, Masterworks Chamber Music Program, Shining Stars Competition (scholarships up to $1,500), and the Chapman Memorial Piano Competition.

Product overview

The Wisconsin Philharmonic is a professional symphony orchestra offering a portfolio of products and services centered on live orchestral performances and music education. The core offering is five annual Masterworks season concerts featuring world-renowned soloists at venues throughout Southeast Wisconsin. Complementing performances, the organization provides extensive education programs including Major Classics for Minors (Instrument Petting Zoo and Behind the Scenes presentations), Maestro Classes for high school orchestras, and the Masterworks Chamber Music Program. The Philharmonic also runs two annual competitions: the Shining Stars Competition offering scholarships up to $1,500 for middle and high school students, and the biennial Chapman Memorial Piano Competition for pianists age 14-20. Additional offerings include corporate sponsorship programs at multiple tiers, volunteer opportunities, and individual/concession ticket sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Masterworks Season Concert Series

Quantifiable outcome

• 78+ years of continuous operation since 1947
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Wisconsin Arts BoardminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Wisconsin Arts Board is a state arts organization whose logo appears on the Season Partners page. The relationship is a minor partnership providing recognition and association with state-level arts funding and advocacy.
• We Energies FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018We Energies Foundation supports the Wisconsin Philharmonic as a season partner, with logo recognition and program listing in concert materials.
• Carroll UniversityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Carroll University partners with the Wisconsin Philharmonic by hosting performances at Shattuck Auditorium and through season partner recognition.
• Century Fence CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner at the Friend level ($49 and under), with logo listing in season concert programs.
• WSB (Waukesha State Bank)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo listing in concert programs as part of WSB's community support activities.
• Wisconsin Coach LinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo recognition in programs supporting transportation-related community sponsorship.
• Shorewest RealtorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo listing supporting real estate company's community arts sponsorship.
• SheratonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner (hotel), providing potential in-kind support or venue connections for out-of-town guests and artists.
• Charles SchwabminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo recognition, representing corporate community engagement by Charles Schwab.
• Badger MeterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo listing, supporting Badger Meter's regional corporate community involvement.
• Pieper Power / Pieper ElectricminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner representing Pieper Electric's sponsorship of community arts programs.
• HumanaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo listing as part of Humana's corporate community sponsorship program.
• Embassy SuitesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner (hotel), potentially providing accommodations for visiting soloists and guest artists.
• DoubleTree by HiltonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner (hotel) with logo recognition, supporting hotel's community arts sponsorship.
• COS (likely Chamber Orchestra of the Symphony or similar)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner logo listed on the partners page.
• Bakers QualityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo listing representing local business community support.
• RR InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018Season partner with logo listing representing regional insurance company's arts sponsorship.
• Major Orchestra Librarians' AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Professional membership organization for orchestra librarians; Wisconsin Philharmonic is a proud member.
• League of American OrchestrasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018National orchestra industry association; Wisconsin Philharmonic is a proud member providing access to resources, advocacy, and professional networks.
• Association of Wisconsin Symphony OrchestrasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018State-level orchestra association connecting Wisconsin Philharmonic with other regional orchestras and shared resources.
• Waukesha County Nonprofit OrganizationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Wisconsin Philharmonic regularly partners with Waukesha County nonprofit organizations, allowing them to share information in the lobby during performances and receive stage recognition. This provides mutual audience-building across the nonprofit sector.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra: A Wisconsin-based community orchestra delivering classical masterworks across Madison and surrounding counties. Same product category (regional symphony season), similar reliance on corporate sponsorship, donations, and education outreach.
• Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra: A mid-sized U.S. regional symphony with a comparable mix of Masterworks concerts, family programming, and education outreach. Similar revenue model (subscriptions, corporate sponsorship, donations) and similar staff scale.
• Madison Symphony Orchestra: A Wisconsin-based regional symphony orchestra of comparable scale, offering a Masterworks-classics season plus education and youth programs. Highly comparable in mission, programming mix, and reliance on community/corporate support within the same state ecosystem.
• La Crosse Symphony Orchestra: Wisconsin regional orchestra where Music Director Alexander Platt concurrently serves as Music Director, evidencing direct artistic and operational overlap. Same scale and nonprofit community-orchestra business model.
• Kansas City Symphony: A mid-market U.S. symphony orchestra with a comparable Masterworks-classics season structure and education/youth programming. Useful benchmark for subscription pricing, sponsorship tiers, and corporate partnership economics at a similar scale.
• Racine Symphony Orchestra: A Southeastern Wisconsin community orchestra of similar size; notably, Alexander Platt has guest-conducted the Racine Symphony, evidencing direct artistic overlap. Closest in geographic footprint and audience composition.

Broad incumbents

• Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra: The MSO is the major professional orchestra serving the same greater Milwaukee/Waukesha region. It is a much larger, better-funded incumbent that competes for the same audience and corporate sponsorships, making it the most direct benchmark for the Wisconsin Philharmonic's positioning within Southeast Wisconsin.
• Minnesota Orchestra: A major professional orchestra that Alexander Platt has guest-conducted. Represents a much larger-budget benchmark for programming, soloist talent, and audience scale — useful as a "what a top-tier regional orchestra looks like" peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wisconsinphilharmonic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-wisconsin-philharmonic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 The Wisconsin Philharmonic