The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Incorporated

What The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Incorporated does

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Incorporated (TSO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional orchestra founded in 1979 in Tallahassee, Florida, presenting a subscription-based Classics Series season plus film-with-orchestra events, family/holiday programming, and outdoor concerts at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall (1,200 seats on the FSU campus) and The Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park. Core programming includes the Full Season Subscription (Bronze-Platinum tiers, $228-$960) and a Choose Your Own subscription, with distribution via in-person box office, Salesforce-based online ticketing, and phone reservations. The orchestra generates revenue from six streams — ticket sales, individual donations, corporate sponsorships across four giving circles, government grants (state, COCA, NEA), educational programs, and planned giving — with no single stream disclosed as dominant and total revenue not publicly reported.

The TSO operates a substantial education platform under the TSO Kids umbrella, including the tuition-free Murdock's Li'l Mozarts after-school violin program at Sabal Palm Elementary (launched January 2021 with Bank of America, serving Florida's most impoverished zip code 32304), an expanded Pineview Elementary program (September 2024), orchestra support at Nims and Fairview Middle Schools, the Mina String Ensemble for STEAM-based community performances, the Symphonic Safari online learning platform, and the published children's book 'T is for Tallahassee: The ABCs of Our Musical City.' Ancillary offerings include the TSO Jazz ensemble (launched 2014), free Halloween Spooktacular events, open rehearsals, gift certificates, and a Sustain the Stage musician chair-sponsorship program. The organization maintains 1-10 employees, is governed by a Board of Directors (Chair David Ashburn), and is led by CEO Amanda Stringer (since 2010), who reports 170% budget growth and 200% growth in corporate sponsorships and annual fund donations over her tenure. The 2025-2026 season inaugurates new Music Director Yaniv Dinur, succeeding the 11-year tenure of Darko Butorac.

Name

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Incorporated

Legal name

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Incorporated

Website

https://tallahasseesymphony.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit regional orchestra founded in 1979 in Tallahassee, Florida, presenting a subscription Classics Series, family and film-with-orchestra concerts, and tuition-free K-12 string education programs to roughly 15,000 patrons annually across Leon County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Symphony Orchestra Services

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music (Instruments, Voice, Music Theory) (EDAAAGAC), Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Symphony orchestra concerts
• Classical music performances
• Music education programs
• Orchestral subscription seasons
• Community music outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets to concerts and season subscriptions across various price tiers, including the Classics Series, special events, and holiday performances.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting the orchestra's mission and programming.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships at various levels (Maestro's Circle, Encore Circle, President's Circle, Concert Circle) providing cash sponsorships and in-kind support in exchange for brand visibility and community engagement.
4. Government Grants: Funding from state arts grants, cultural funding from Florida Division of Arts and Culture, and local government support including COCA cultural grants.
5. Educational Programs: TSO Kids umbrella brand including children's programming, educational outreach, and the T is for Tallahassee book sales supporting music education initiatives.
6. Planned Giving: Legacy Society planned giving through wills and beneficiary designations supporting the orchestra's long-term financial stability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra presents live orchestral concerts (Classics Series, special events, holiday performances, film-with-orchestra, and jazz) at venues such as Ruby Diamond Concert Hall and The Adderley Amphitheater. The organization also delivers K-12 music education programs, free community events, and string instruction for underserved students. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, season subscriptions, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra is a regional symphony presenting live orchestral performances and related programming. The core product is the concert season featuring subscription-based Classics Series performances at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall and The Adderley Amphitheater at Cascades Park. Supporting offerings include TSO Kids (education programs including string instruction, Murdock's Li'l Mozarts after-school violin, and Symphonic Safari online learning), Mina String Ensemble (community performances), and T is for Tallahassee (children's book). Additional programs include Open Rehearsals, the free Halloween Spooktacular, TSO Jazz ensemble, Sustain the Stage (chair sponsorship), and TSO Symphony Society (volunteer support). The organization operates on a 501(c)(3) nonprofit model funded through donations, subscriptions, ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Season Subscriptions Subscription packages providing access to the Classics Series concerts, including Full Season Subscriptions (5 concerts plus holiday program) and Choose Your Own Subscriptions (minimum 3 concerts). Tiered pricing from Bronze to Platinum levels.
• Mina String Ensemble Community string quartet providing musical performances outside the concert hall, specializing in STEAM-based presentations for schools and community events including anime, film, and video game music.
• TSO Kids Umbrella brand encompassing all children and family programming including educational concerts, after-school string programs, and the 'T is for Tallahassee' book.
• TSO String Programs Free after-school violin programs at Sabal Palm Elementary (Murdock's Li'l Mozarts) and Pineview Elementary schools, plus support for orchestra programs at Nims and Fairview Middle schools.
• Symphonic Safari Adventure Online music education program featuring characters Violetta 'Vi' Vibrato and Roger 'Roger' Rhythm that teaches children about orchestral instruments and families through interactive content.
• T is for Tallahassee: The ABCs of Our Musical City Children's book celebrating Tallahassee's musical history with alphabet format featuring 26 local artists, available for purchase at local retailers and online.
• Open Rehearsals Free daytime dress rehearsal events allowing public observation of concert preparation at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.
• Halloween Symphony Spooktacular Free outdoor Halloween event at The Adderley Amphitheater featuring trick-or-treating, costumes, games, food, and family-friendly concert.
• TSO Jazz Jazz ensemble launched in 2014 that brings together regional jazz talent and performs jazz repertoire, reflecting the orchestra's community engagement.
• TSO Gift Certificates Gift certificates available in custom amounts or pre-priced suggestions, exchangeable and transferrable for TSO events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches over 15,000 people through live concerts annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• DanfossminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2026Sponsor for Zukerman Plays Elgar concert featuring Pinchas Zukerman.
• Greenberg Traurig, P.A.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2026Sponsor for Zukerman Plays Elgar concert.
• Right at HomeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Event sponsor for Hellfighters & Heritage performance, supporting the 26-27 season opener.
• RuvosminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Event sponsor for Hellfighters & Heritage performance.
• Target Print & MailminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Event sponsor for Hellfighters & Heritage performance.
• Opening Nights at Florida State UniversitymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2026Opening Nights presents major concert events with TSO including Leslie Odom, Jr. with the orchestra. Ticketing handled through Opening Nights platform.
• Leon CountymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Leon County partners with TSO and Opening Nights to present Common with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra at The Adderley Amphitheater.
• First Commerce Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2025Exclusive sponsor for Holiday Magic! concert.
• Florida Department of TransportationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Presenting sponsor for FREE Halloween Symphony Spooktacular at The Adderley Amphitheater.
• MidFlorida Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Event sponsor for Halloween Spooktacular.
• Proctor HondaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Event sponsor for Halloween Spooktacular.
• Cheer Nation AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Event sponsor for Halloween Spooktacular.
• Pineview Elementary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024New partnership launching fall 2024 for after-school violin classes for 5th grade students on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Bank of America, through Senior VP Andrew Harrison (a Sabal Palm alumnus), sponsors the free after-school violin program Murdock's Li'l Mozarts at Sabal Palm Elementary serving students from the most impoverished zip code in Florida (32304).
• Florida State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong partnership with Florida State University, the state's largest university, providing access to FSU's outstanding music faculty and facilities including Ruby Diamond Concert Hall as the orchestra's primary performance venue.
• Florida A&M UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Florida A&M University, the state's only public HBCU. FAMU's Marching 100 performed with Common for NBA on Prime Video and the university provides musical talent and community connections.
• Council on Culture & Arts (COCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOCA provides ongoing support to the TSO as an authority on Arts & Culture in Tallahassee. TSO is grateful for their continued support and participates in COCA cultural events.
• Visit TallahasseecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVisit Tallahassee promotes tourism to Tallahassee, drawing visitors to TSO concerts. The TSO supports Visit Tallahassee by creating jobs, helping attract industries, and enhancing students' intellectual growth.
• City of TallahasseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Tallahassee provides ongoing support for TSO operations and performances including July 4th celebrations.
• Florida A&M University Marching 100minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAMU's Marching 100 performed with Common for NBA on Prime Video victory song and participates in TSO collaborative performances.
• Sabal Palm Elementary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTSO provides free after-school violin program Murdock's Li'l Mozarts at Sabal Palm, a Community Partnership School serving students from the most impoverished zip code in Florida (32304).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra: Central Florida regional orchestra operating with subscription series, education programs, and corporate partnerships. Comparable in scale and structure to TSO and serves as a benchmark in the same Florida market.
• Sarasota Orchestra: Regional Florida orchestra with subscription-based concert programming and education outreach. The TSO's Director of Patron Services previously worked at Sarasota Orchestra, creating a direct operational and talent-flow connection.
• Jacksonville Symphony: Regional symphony orchestra based in Jacksonville, Florida, with comparable subscriber model, education programming, and similar donor-supported non-profit structure. Same-state peer with parallel operating economics and venue scale.
• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: Southeast U.S. regional symphony with Classics subscription series, education programs, and corporate donor base. Operates in a comparable mid-sized city market with similar non-profit funding structure.
• Phoenix Symphony: Regional symphony in a state capital/metro market with subscription-based Classics concerts, education programs, and similar donor-supported operating model. Useful outside-Florida benchmark for non-profit regional orchestra economics.
• Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra: Regional symphony with subscription programming and education outreach serving a mid-sized U.S. metro. Comparable donor-supported non-profit structure with similar subscriber base economics.
• Pacific Symphony: Costa Mesa, California-based regional symphony with subscription Classics series, education programs, and named conductor partnerships. Comparable in scale and operational profile to TSO.
• The Florida Orchestra: Tampa Bay-based regional symphony presenting Classics series, Pops, and education programs with similar non-profit revenue model. Comparable regional orchestra profile operating in the same Florida state funding environment.

Broad incumbents

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Larger-scale regional symphony in the Southeast U.S. with broader programming and significantly larger operating budget. Represents an aspirational scale comparable for TSO's longer-term growth trajectory.
• Nashville Symphony: Larger regional symphony in a comparable mid-sized American capital/metro market (Nashville), with broader programming scale and mixed-use Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Useful benchmark for what TSO's trajectory could look like at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tallahasseesymphony
• Instagraminstagram.com/tallahasseesymphony
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tallahassee-symphony-orchestra

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Incorporated