Login

Explore the many resources here related to the League publication, Effective Orchestra Governance: A Guide for Boards, Second Edition.

Jump to Additional League Resources by Chapter: Preface | Chapter 1 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

Jump to Endnotes: Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

Additional League Resources by Chapter

Preface

Visit the Noteboom Governance Center to access a downloadable PDF of this guide, as well as an array of articles, webinar recordings, tools, samples, and templates to support board members in their work.

Review Benefits of League Membership for Orchestra Board Members for all the ways the League can support you in your board service.

Chapter 1: The Context for Orchestra Governance (page 9)

Find out more about the value and impact of orchestras in the United States in Orchestras at a Glance.

Visit the League website’s Research and Resources pages for a wealth of data, insights, and practical guidance.

Sign up for email updates from Symphony, the League’s signature publication covering all the latest issues, developments, and trends in the orchestra world.

Chapter 4: Strong Oversight (page 38)

For more information on orchestra finances, visit the League website’s Finance pages.

Member orchestras participating in the League’s annual Orchestra Statistical Report receive a detailed report to support financial strategy and benchmarking work.

Chapter 5: Active Ambassadorship (page 45)

Learn more in the League Guide Playing Your Part–The Truth about Advocacy and Lobbying on the League website’s Advocacy pages.

Download the Public Value Toolkit, which helps League member orchestras discuss and convey how they are serving local communities. The toolkit includes a self-assessment survey, a message framework, a data template, and a set of storytelling guidelines. Login required. Not sure of your login information? Contact Member Services at member@americanorchestras.org.

Visit the Mapping Project to create a visual representation of your orchestra’s work in the communities it serves.

Chapter 6: Professional Leadership (page 57)

Review the League’s Salary and Benefits Report, a biannual publication that helps orchestras offer competitive compensation to employees, promote salary transparency and equity across the field, and empower employees at all levels to advance their careers.

Chapter 7: Board Composition and Structures (pages 66 and 74)

 The Catalyst Guide: Youth Engagement and the Future of Orchestras outlines how orchestras are centering youth creativity and creating pathways for young people to participate in governance and leadership.

For practical guidance on how to establish and run an effective equity, diversity, and inclusion committee, read How Orchestra Boards Can Advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: a Guide from the League of American Orchestras.

Chapter 8: Board Culture (pages 83 and 85)

Attend League events like the National Conference, webinars, and seminars, where you can meet board member peers from across the country and discuss the latest topics of interest.

Join the League’s Orchestra Board Member Constituency Group, which meets in person at Conference and in our online discussion forum, League360. For more information, please reach out to the League’s Orchestra Board Member Constituency Liaison.

For support with the critical work of preventing and addressing sexual misconduct, visit the League’s online resources page, which provides links for survivors and their allies, as well as information and guidance on understanding sexual misconduct, building a safe and inclusive workplace, and identifying training for your orchestra.

Endnotes

Chapter 2: Collaborative Leadership and Governance

[1] League of American Orchestras, Orchestras at a Glance.

[2] Sabrina Klein, The Art of Serving on a Performing Arts Board (BoardSource and Theatre Bay Area, 1999), 4.

[3] For more information about the specific challenges facing smaller-budget arts organizations, see Emil Kang, What Leaders of Small Arts Organizations Are Asked to Bear 2026.

[4] Lowell J. Noteboom, Good Governance for Challenging Times (New York: League of American Orchestras, 2003), 16.

[5] BoardSource, The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance (Washington, DC: BoardSource, 2010).

[6] BoardSource, “Board Chair and Chief Executive Responsibilities,” 2022.

[7] Jan Masaoka, “The Governance/Support Model for Nonprofit Boards,” Blue Avocado, September 19, 2011.

[8] Jan Masaoka, “The Governance/Support Model for Nonprofit Boards,” Blue Avocado, September 19, 2011.

[9] BoardSource, “Board Chair and Chief Executive Partnership,” 2023.

Chapter 3: Strategic Direction

[10] Francie Ostrower, In Search of the Magic Bullet: Results from the Building Audiences for Sustainability Initiative (Wallace Foundation, 2023); see also “What It Takes to Build Audiences and Sustainability,” Symphony, Summer 2024.

[11] Terry Williams, “Thinking Outside the Boardroom,” in Exceptional Board Practices (BoardSource, 2008), 25.

Chapter 4: Strong Oversight

[12] Putting Purpose First: Nonprofit Board Leadership Today (BoardSource, 2021).

[13] GuideStar USA, What You Need to Know about Nonprofit Executive Compensation (2010).

[14] Rick Moyers, “A Risk and Resilience Checklist for Purpose-Driven Boards,” in Putting Purpose First: Nonprofit Board Leadership Today (BoardSource, 2021), 68–69.

[15] Putting Purpose First: Nonprofit Board Leadership Today (BoardSource, 2021), pp. 68–69.

[16] BoardSource, “Nonprofit Fiduciary Duties and Responsibilities,” 2024

[17] League of American Orchestras, Strategy and Money Alignment Readiness Tool (SMART)(New York: League of American Orchestras, 2014).

[18] Thomas A. McLaughlin, “Red Flags, Yellow Flags: Are Your Financial Statements Trying to Tell You Something?” BoardSource, 2016.

[19] For more information, see Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act – Uniform Law Commission

[20] Berit M. Lakey, Board Fundamentals: Understanding Roles in Nonprofit Governance, 2nd ed. (BoardSource, 2010), 35.

[21] BoardSource, “Monitor/Strengthen Oversight Tool,” 2016.

[22] Bridgespan Group, “What Is Impact Measurement and How Can Organizations Use It?” June 11, 2025.

[23] BoardSource, “10 Common Benefits of Dashboard Reports,” 2025.

Chapter 5: Ambassadorship

[24] League of American Orchestras, “Playing Your Part: An Orchestra’s Guide to Public Policy Advocacy.”

[25] Cynthia M. Gibson, “Beyond Fundraising: What Does It Mean to Build a Culture of Philanthropy?” Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, 2016.

[26] BoardSource, Putting Purpose First: Nonprofit Board Leadership Today (BoardSource, 2021), 88.

[27] BoardSource, Leading with Intent: BoardSource Index of Nonprofit Board Practices (Washington, DC: BoardSource, 2015), 30.

[28] BoardSource, Leading with Intent: BoardSource Index of Nonprofit Board Practices (Washington, DC: BoardSource, 2015), 30.

[29] Kay Sprinkel Grace, “Engaging Board Members: AAA Then and Now,” Blue Avocado, September 16, 2019.

Chapter 6: Professional Leadership

[30] Simon Woods, “Forward Thinking: Courageous Leadership,” Symphony, December 13, 2022.

[31] Timothy J. Rowley and Laurence Capron, “How the Best Boards Engage with Management”, January – February 2025.

[32] League of American Orchestras, Fearless Journeys: Innovations in Five American Orchestras (New York: League of American Orchestras, 2010), 69.

[33] BoardSource, “Board-Staff Interaction: What’s Acceptable, What’s Not?” 2022.

[34] CoSpire Consulting, “What a Healthy Board–Staff Relationship Really Looks Like,” July 28, 2025,

Chapter 7: Board Composition and Structures

[35] League of American Orchestras, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Data Hub.

[36] BoardSource, “Terms and Term Limits,” 2024.

[37] BoardSource, “Board Orientation” (BoardSource 2022); BoardSource, “Nonprofit Board Member Orientation Checklist” (BoardSource 2023)

Chapter 8: Board Culture

[38] BoardSource, “What Goes Into a Board Manual” (2024).

[39] BoardSource, Leading with Intent: A National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices 39.

[40] BoardSource, Leading with Intent: A National Index of Nonprofit Board Practices 39.

[41] BoardSource, Board Self-Assessment.

[42] Nancy Alexrod, “The Governing Board: Key Responsibilities for Boards and Board Members”

[43] Symphony, “It’s Time for Nonprofit Boards to Have a Conversation about Sexual Misconduct”

[44] Email Kang, “The Board Your Mission Deserves”

[45] Cyril O’Houle, “Governing Boards: Their Nature and Nurture,” Jossey-Bass and National Center for Nonprofit Boards (1997).

Effective Orchestra Governance: A Guide for Boards, Second Edition, was made possible by a generous grant from The Clinton Family Fund.

Additional support was provided by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Photo: Tulsa Symphony Board members join in discussion at their annual meeting and holiday gathering. Photo by Tom Gilbert.

Article Topics:

Related Links & Assets

Related

Become a member

Thank you for your interest in the League of American Orchestras! We are dedicated to advancing the orchestral experience for all.

Join Now