Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

== Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra == === Mission & History === The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Music Director Ken-David Masur, is recognized as one of the nation's leading orchestras and serves as the largest cultural institution in Wisconsin. Since its establishment in 1959, the MSO has been dedicated to creating a strong musical presence in the region, fostering the development of musical appreciation and talent among local youth, and enhancing Milwaukee's national cultural stature. The MSO is comprised of full-time professional musicians who perform over 135 concerts annually, including classics, pops, family, education, and community performances across various venues in the state. The orchestra is known for its innovative spirit, having premiered works by renowned composers such as John Adams, Roberto Sierra, Philip Glass, Geoffrey Gordon, Marc Neikrug, and Matthias Pintscher. The MSO also made history as the first American orchestra to offer live recordings on iTunes. The orchestra's radio broadcast series, which began in 1971, is the longest consecutively running series of any U.S. orchestra and reaches over two million listeners each year through 147 subscriber stations in 38 of the top 100 markets. In January 2021, the MSO completed the restoration and renovation of the Bradley Symphony Center, a former movie palace located in downtown Milwaukee. The center opened to the public in October 2021 and has since been a driving force for revitalization along West Wisconsin Avenue. === Community Engagement and Education === The MSO's commitment to excellence is evident not only in its performances but also in its extensive community engagement and educational initiatives. The orchestra impacts over 30,000 children and their families through programs like the Arts in Community Education (ACE), Youth and Teen concerts, the Family Series, and the Meet the Music pre-concert talks. The ACE program, which has been nationally recognized for over 30 years, integrates arts education into various subjects and disciplines, offering vital opportunities for students, especially when arts programming is at risk due to budget constraints. The program includes lesson plans, visits from MSO musicians and local artists, and grade-specific concerts. In the 2022-23 season, ACE reached more than 5,800 students and 500 teachers and faculty both in-person and virtually. === Financial and Organizational Information === The MSO is transparent with its financial information, providing access to its financial statements and Form 990 for the fiscal years ending in August 2023 and 2022. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by an administrative team that oversees various aspects of the orchestra's operations, including employment and auditions. The MSO encourages community involvement through volunteer opportunities and keeps its supporters informed with a digital magazine, streaming radio series, and an e-newsletter. For more information on the history and ongoing work of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, visit their official website or explore their educational and community programs in person at the Bradley Symphony Center. == External Links == * [http://www.mso.org Official website of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra] * [http://www.mso.org/education-and-community/arts-in-community-education-ace Arts in Community Education (ACE) Program] * [http://www.mso.org/support/volunteer Volunteer with the MSO] * [http://www.mso.org/about/financial-information Financial Statements and Form 990]