Our Impact 25/26

2024/2025

SEASON IMPACT REPORT

WHAT’S INSIDE

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A Message from our President and CEO

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Our Mission & Values

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PSO By The Numbers

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Season Highlights

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A Message from Artistic Leadership

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Our Musicians

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In the Community

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Music Learning at PSO

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Where You Play In

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Cover photo: Dale Jeong, Associate Principal Cello

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO

Dear Friends, This past season was defined by the joy of sharing incredible music and the strength of a community that makes it possible. Your support has ensured that our Symphony remains a cultural treasure for Western Pennsylvania, representing the vivacity and passion of Pittsburgh across the world. Thanks to you, the Pittsburgh Symphony has reached more lives, created new experiences, and continued to transform and enhance our community.

Right now, I’m heartened by our incredible growth. Last season saw a 17% overall increase in revenue, 9.5% more tickets sold, over 15,000 new households coming to Heinz Hall, and an especially large success with our Fiddlesticks and Holiday Pops series. Our Schooltime concerts saw an 8.5% increase in school district participation and attendance that beat our pre-COVID numbers. We had the debuts of incredible soloists like Víkingur Ólafsson and Sheku-Kanneh Mason, we brought popular artists such as Nas, Shaggy and Ray Angry, and—maybe my favorite— watched our cellists perform an original arrangement of Fred Rogers’s songs alongside Yo-Yo Ma in June.

While we look to double down on this incredible growth, the financial landscape for the arts has become increasingly difficult. Many arts organizations are making tough decisions about their future. However, I view our recent successes as confirmation that our continued investment in our people and programming is the right strategy for the future, and for the Pittsburgh communities we serve.

But costs climb higher, and our work is far from done. So, we’re continuing to ask ourselves and our communities how we can serve you better – by pushing boundaries artistically and bringing new formats and artists to our stage; getting more involved in Pittsburgh with education or community events; and, as always, maintaining the deep gratitude and commitment to you who make our mission possible.

My new optimism is hard-earned from the past few years, and while there is no lack of challenges, I’m confident in our direction and ever awed by who we are and the music we make. With bold programming, deeper connection, and expanded community engagement, the PSO will remain a vital force here in Pittsburgh and across the globe.

With deepest gratitude,

Melia Tourangeau President & CEO

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WHO ARE WE?

MISSION: To engage, enrich, and inspire through unparalleled live musical experiences

Conrad Jones, Associate Principal Trumpet

VISION: Great Music In Every Life VALUES: Excellence, Inclusivity, Integrity, and Celebration/Enjoyment

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CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE

PSO BY THE NUMBERS 77.8%

People, Programming & Heinz Hall

EXPENSES

Over 75% of the PSO’s spending goes directly to where it matters most our people and programs – helping to directly serve our mission and community at large.

22.2% Administration

52.8% Contributed Revenue

23.5% Endowment

REVENUE

Over half of the PSO’s budget comes from contributed revenue. Gifts raised through annual appeals, fundraising events, grants, sponsorships, endowment, and philanthropic support are vital to ensuring longterm sustainability.

Click here to view our full audited financials by season.

23.6%

Earned Revenue

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2024/2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

We were honored to recognize the unparalleled leadership and support of Richard “Dick” P. Simmons and the Simmons family with the inaugural naming of the Simmons Family Stage at Heinz Hall.

Our bus fund removed the school bus transportation cost barrier for many of the nearly 20,000 students that experience live classical music for free at Heinz Hall.

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Pittsburgh Symphony performed over 135 concerts at Heinz Hall, commissioned several new works, and featured dozens of world-renowned guest artists.

We launched PSO Go, a new program that offers discounted tickets to high school and college students and teachers.

Music is more than what you hear, it’s what you feel.

Manfred Honeck, Music Director

Thanks to the Allegheny County Parks Department, Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), and Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development for making our free summer concerts at South Park and Hartwood Acres possible.

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A MESSAGE FROM ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP

Manfred Honeck Music Director

Last March, for a performance of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, I asked the orchestra to stomp during a particular passage derived from folk music. I was perhaps thinking to my own childhood, and the music that has continued to make me happy, but I am also looking for a power and energy to share with you—a power I have felt before, and remember. I am searching, along with everyone in attendance, for a new experience. In everything I do with the Pittsburgh Symphony, every time I am on the podium in front of them, I am looking for that genuine and deep power which music has: to tell us something with a language from the heart.

From my own heart, I am so grateful for your support of this mission. Whether at Heinz Hall, in recordings, and everywhere else we go, I hope you have many memories of being told something by the Pittsburgh Symphony, and I hope we will make many more.

Byron Stripling

Principal Pops Conductor

Every one of my concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony is a celebration. After months of preparation, weeks of practice and hours of rehearsal, we come together in the concert hall or community to celebrate something, whether that’s a particular artist, an entire genre, or just us—we who are there. That celebration would not be possible without supportive and excited listeners, which I feel blessed to have in Pittsburgh. I was so inspired last season to see all the dancing in the aisles, and families spending the holidays at Heinz Hall. I get little glimpses into the ways music affects us all. Each one leaves me more hopeful and eager to continue what I love doing.

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OUR MUSICIANS

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NEW MUSICIANS

CHAIRS ENDOWED

Julia Harguindey Principal Bassoon

Zhenwei Shi Principal Viola

Michael Banks Assistant Principal Bass

Ilkhom Mukhiddinov First Violin

Mr. & Mrs. William Genge and Mr. and Mrs. James E. Lee Chair

Cynthia S. Calhoun Chair

VIOLIN Michael F. Butler Memorial Chair Marta Krechkovsky

LIBRARIAN Anonymous Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Chair Sheryl Hadeka

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MUSICIAN RETIREMENT Stephanie Tretick, Viola 45 YEARS OF SERVICE

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PITTSBURGH PARTNERSHIPS

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Pittsburgh’s neighbors are a catalyst for the PSO’s community impact. We are incredibly grateful for decades of support through meaningful partnerships, community relationships, and financial contributions that help to sustain operations. In the 2025/26 season, we celebrate 25 years of partnership with BNY as the title sponsor of the BNY Classics series and PNC as the title sponsor of the PNC Pops series.

Meanwhile, Highmark Holiday Pops continues to set record attendance goals annually and serve as one of Pittsburgh’s favorite holiday traditions.

Thank you to BNY, PNC, and Highmark, as well as our many other Corporate Partners, for supporting our vision of great music in every life.

Victoria Luperi, Associate Principal Clarinet

PSO IN THE COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

ACCESS

Inclusive programming is at the forefront of what we do.

Did you know PSO is the first major orchestra to program Sensory Friendly offerings for our friends with sensory sensitivities & on the autism spectrum?

Tens of thousands of community members experienced the PSO for FREE in the 24/25 season.

FOR GENERATIONS, PSO’s programming has

grown alongside the Pittsburgh community to bring Great Music to Every Life

GIVING BACK

MENTORS

More than 70% of PSO musicians serve as music faculty in the region. PSO musicians spend a collective 50,000 hours mentoring or teaching students annually.

PSO members volunteered 1,900 hours at 15 local organizations.

STUDENTS

PSO served more than 25,000 students with FREE educational programs in the 24/25 season.

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MUSIC LEARNING AT PSO

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digital Schooltime units launched.

Featuring full concert video and learning resources for all grade levels!

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students and teachers the PSO visited in their community.

19,741 students and teachers came to Heinz Hall for Schooltime experiences.

30,878

kids and adults participated in all our Learning & Engagement 12 programs in 24/25.

At the Pittsburgh Symphony, our music is for everyone. Our Learning & Engagement team works hard every year to bring incredible orchestral experiences to the littlest music lovers in our community, and their impact is growing!

Over the past six years, the reach of our Learning & Engagement programs has increased by 20%. This spans our music learning programs like Schooltime at Heinz Hall, Schooltime on the Road, Digital Schooltime, Fiddlesticks Musical Exploration, and our Student Side-by-Side program.

In the 2024/25 season, Fiddlesticks and his many musician friends directly reached nearly 5,400 children and their families, surpassing prior years by 1,100 people. And we’re not just expanding our reach—we’re diversifying the experiences we bring to these programs.

Our world is growing, and we are committed to showing our community that orchestra music is for (and by) everyone. Our L&E programs proudly premiered six new works by composers from underrepresented groups in the orchestra field, and 76% of the guest artists reflected these identities.

Did you know?

Your gift can directly support our L&E programs through EITC! The Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) allows businesses and individuals to receive significant tax credits by directing their tax dollars to state-qualified educational programming, like the PSO! Learn more at dced.pa.gov/eitc

Thank you for making these concerts such fantastic and memorable educational opportunities.

The best part? The students were happily talking about how awesome it was too!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Teacher Evaluation of Schooltime

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Manfred Honeck’s directorship of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra must be counted as one of the country’s most successful conductor-ensemble collaborations, his thoughtful interpretations of the standard repertory inflaming the players’ super-committed virtuosity.

The New York Times

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Rhian Kenny, Principal Piccolo

WHERE YOU PLAY IN Whether you donate, subscribe, or attend a community event, you are playing a vital role in sharing classical music for generations to come.

Ready to take the stage with us?

Ticket sales cover less than 25% of annual expenses.

Our donors make up the majority of our funding.

DONATE NOW

Whether it’s a one-time gift of $100 or $10/month, your support makes the music possible. Join our donor family today at pittsburghsymphony.org/give Plus, enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes benefits and perks that will enhance your musical experience.

STEINBERG SOCIETY: A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE The Steinberg Society honors those whose immense generosity and foresight help to secure the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s future. Named for the orchestra’s beloved and longest-tenured Music Director, William Steinberg, the Society recognizes individuals who have included the PSO in their estate plans and informed the Development Office of their intentions.

Through bequests and other planned gifts, Steinberg members provide lasting support. Legacy gifts may be directed to the PSO’s endowment, where the principal is preserved and earnings sustain operations, to our General Operating budget to address the Orchestra’s most immediate needs. Gifts may be designated to specific priorities such as education programs, artistic initiatives, to fund orchestra chairs or a named space at Heinz Hall.

We encourage you to share your plans with us so we may express our sincere appreciation. For more information contact Camilla Pearce, Senior Gift Planning Officer at 412.392.4842 or cpearce@pittsburghsymphony.org.

We wish to recognize the following patrons who joined the Steinberg Society during the 2024-2025 fiscal year: Anonymous (9) James* & Sandra Bobick Sean & Sherri Collins Shelley Crannell Rev. Lawrence A. Dominik Ellen Doyle* & Lawrence Frolik Dr. Robert J. & Susan J. Gluckman Loisann Jackovitz* Jane M. Lubic* Cynthia N. Mastro Michael & Cynthia Mullins M. Susan Regan *

New Named Chairs: The Hotopp Family Associate Principal Horn Chair given by Tom* and Dona Hotopp. The chair, currently held by Stephen Kostyniak, will be named through the 2028/2029 season.

The Cynthia Nixon Mastro and Joseph M. Mastro Horn Chair given by Cynthia N. Mastro. The chair, currently held by Michelle Hembree, will be named through the 2029/2030 season.

*Deceased

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SEE YOU AT THE SYMPHONY

Thank you for being a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony community.

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