Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra Holds Annual Meeting

The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary Season was a triumph in myriad ways. And the organization’s annual meeting, held June 8th at Keeler Tavern, was a chance for the RSO to “blow its own horn” and share those accomplishments with the community.

Most importantly, Music Director Jerry Steichen noted that the RSO was playing, and sounding, better than ever. In fact, the orchestra improved not only from concert to concert, but from rehearsal to rehearsal!

Not surprisingly, given the RSO’s world-class quality performances, audiences at concerts saw large increases. Overall audience size increased by 35% over the 2013-14 Season, and subscription sales saw a substantial 24% increase. And the RSO’s growing reputation drew concertgoers from an ever-larger geographic area- for the first time ever, more than half (56%) of all single ticket buyers came from the communities surrounding Ridgefield.

And there was good news on the financial front as well. The RSO balanced its budget with income and expenses both at $517,000. With 25% of donors giving for the first time to the RSO during its Golden Anniversary, and 21% increasing their donation, the orchestra is establishing a sure financial footing for seasons to come.

The Annual Meeting also welcomed a “quintet” of new board members- Brenda Calia, Jennifer Woolwich, Rabbi John Haddon, Joe Fischetti and Peter Grierson- while saying good-bye to board members Donna Case, Katherine “Kitty” Fischer, Tom Gerhard, Philip Lodewick and Jeff Lundberg.

The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary Season was one of artistic growth and musical achievements, of audience expansion and financial stability. A perfect way to celebrate fifty years of world-class music and to look forward to decades of accomplishments to come!