League Forward: March 2025
Dear Friends,
I hope that everyone’s 2025 has started productively, and that hearing great live music has already been part of your year.
This is the League’s regular newsletter for the generous donors who support our mission and allow us to work for the people of the orchestra field, and for the art form we all love.
Here are a few recent updates at the League that you might be interested in:
The first part of this year has been a time of dramatic change for our country. The League’s Washington, D.C. advocacy team—who collectively have more than 40 years of experience in this area—continue to focus on bipartisan engagement and support orchestras as they work through a newly complicated funding and compliance environment. Read the League’s latest Policy Updates to learn more about how the rapidly-developing situation could impact the arts. The League hosted a free member webinar last month to share information on key priorities and how our collective advocacy can make a difference in speaking up for the arts.
The League is delighted to announce the continuation and expansion of the Anne Parsons Leadership Program, thanks to the generosity of Patricia A. Richards, League Board Member and former Chair, Board of Trustees, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. Through Pat’s generous gift, we will launch a formal three-year cycle with a new cohort each year, beginning in the Fall of 2025. This program honors Anne Parsons’ life and legacy as a transformative leader and mentor and provides a year-long executive leadership program designed to increase the pool of women and nonbinary orchestra professionals working in leadership positions in major American orchestras.
A record turnout of more than 120 orchestra executive directors and youth orchestra leaders gathered in New York City this January for the Midwinter Managers Meeting. This long-established and much-appreciated event brought together leaders of all sizes of orchestras, providing invaluable opportunities for connection, sharing of best practices, and learning from one another. Erika James, Dean of the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, gave an inspiring presentation on authentic leadership and organizational culture.
We are excited to share our recently-released Impact Report, highlighting many areas of the League’s work in support of orchestras over the past year—all made possible through your generosity. Read the full Impact Report (PDF) to learn how your support enables the League to provide programs and services for more than 630 member orchestras and their dedicated staff, board members, musicians, volunteers, and all who bring orchestral music to life. Thank you for being part of our philanthropic community!
We recently held a webinar for new orchestra board members, led by myself and Doug Hagerman, the League’s immediate past chair and former Chair of the Milwaukee Symphony. The webinar drew over 500 participants and provided an insightful overview of what it really means to serve on an orchestra’s board as well as national trends in our field. If you missed the webinar, you can watch the recording.
Save the date for our exclusive Donor Town Hall, featuring internationally renowned conductor Marin Alsop. We will learn about Marin’s experience as the first woman to serve as Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, her time with the São Paulo Symphony, and hear about the challenges and opportunities of orchestras today. We hope you will join us for this engaging conversation between Marin and me, taking place Monday, April 28 from 2:30-3:30pm Eastern. More information coming soon!
As I travel around the country seeing orchestras at work in their communities, I am continually stunned by their artistry, their creativity, and the passion of all those involved with them. I never take this field for granted—for its richness of experience, its inspiration, and its friendships. Thank you for being a part of it.
Sincerest thanks to all of you for your support and generosity.
As ever,
Simon Woods
President and CEO
League of American Orchestras
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