ISO Announces Balanced Budget, Higher Revenue

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is one of the recipients.

The Indianapolis Symphony Society reported a balanced operating budget for the third consecutive year Monday. Earned revenue, subscribers and fundraising contributions also increased in the 2014-2015 season.

ISO Chief Executive Officer Gary Ginstling says overall revenue from ticket sales increased 8 percent, while the total number of subscribers to ISO concerts increased 24 percent. Annual contributions totaled $9.25 million which marks the third consecutive year that contributions have exceeded $9 million.

"More people are hearing the ISO and that really aligns with our strategy of making the orchestra available to as many people in the community as possible," says Ginstling. "We’re grateful for the support of the community and are delighted by the strong results."

Ginstling credits strong performances by the musicians on stage as well as ISO Music Director Krzysztof Urbanski and Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly. He adds their strategy has been to make the orchestra accessible to more places which includes the 317 Series of concerts in Hendricks County and greater Greenwood and the Classical Series at the Palladium in Carmel.

He says going forward, the ISO continues to have aggressive ticket sale goals and early signs are improving for the next fiscal year. "We’ve got some really key artistic initiatives coming up. I think we continue to put in place some really strong, exciting, artistic programming that will get the community excited and hopefully we’ll continue the strong attendance growth and fundraising success that we’ve seen the last few years."

Ginstling says one of those early signs is that the ISO’s Yuletide Celebration this month is almost completely sold out.