Honolulu Symphony Society
Honolulu Symphony Society, 1984 - 1990
Leading American regional orchestra and society with extensive public and educational services. During this period, the organization experienced a financial turnaround, operating five out of six seasons in the black, retiring an accumulated deficit and significantly improving the artistic quality of all programs. A new five-year plan was adopted, and a $15 million endowment drive was successfully launched. $5.2 million budget.
Orchestra: 85 members. Chorus: 160 members. Staff: 25 full/part time. Season: 41 weeks, producing approximately 135 concerts and 200 in-school ensemble performances per season, including Great Performances subscription series presenting world-renowned guest artists and premieres of regularly commissioned new works by American composers; pops subscription series; chamber orchestra series; outdoor summer concert series; statewide tours (5 Neighbor Islands) and radio broadcast series; annual presentation of the San Francisco Ballet; K-HS youth education programs.
Artistic Achievements: Expanded core of orchestra from 57 to 63 musicians; increased length of season from 34 to 41 weeks; established merit pay structure and corrected major pay inequities within the orchestra; negotiated multi-year contracts with AFM, IATSE and with Hawaii Opera Theatre for HSO services; expanded radio broadcast series and improved broadcast quality, initiated first international broadcast of HSO through Orchestras of the Pacific series on American Public Radio; formed and chaired Program Committee to significantly improve artistic quality and marketability of HSO subscription series.
Financial and Administrative: Balanced budget (surplus) in five of six years (budget increased from $2.6 million to $5.2 million); established $200,000 cash reserve fund; strengthened financial reporting and controls; initiated computerization of information and record systems, box office. Developed first five-year plan in history of the organization; improved arts advocacy at all government levels; reorganized board of directors through establishment of a board self-study and new Committee on Directors; reorganized staff, including development of first Honolulu Symphony Society employee handbook.
Development and Marketing: Increased endowment from $997,000 to $3,200,000 with an additional $1.5 million in pledges; obtained National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Challenge Grant of $200,000 which was successfully matched 3:1; obtained 50% growth in NEA operating grant, to $92,000; Increased State of Hawaii annual support from $230,000 to $1.25 million (543% growth); obtained State of Hawaii $1.0 million matching grant for endowment and accomplished 1:1 match; obtained second State of Hawaii $1.0 million matching grant for endowment; increased City/County of Honolulu annual support to $165,000 (65% growth); increased annual contributed revenue by 42%. Developed convention market for HSO performances (to $250,000 in revenues); increased season ticket sales by 57%; developed successful telemarketing and telefundraising campaigns.
Honolulu Symphony Highlight!
Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director Seiji Ozawa made a rare U.S. guest conducting appearance at a benefit concert for the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.
Pictured (left to right): HSO Executive Director Howard Grant, Maestro Ozawa, and HSO Vice President for Development and Marketing Laura Maziarz.