Speaker(s): Christina Littlejohn, Chief Executive Officer, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Eric Nelson, Vice President, Global Partnerships, TRG Arts, and John O'Dell, Patron Advancement Officer, The Cleveland Orchestra

This Insight Session explores the encouraging trend of growing subscription sales in orchestras, positioning it within the broader context of the rising demand for subscription-like products across industries. It will highlight how orchestras are leveraging personalized, frequency-driven subscription models to cultivate recurring revenue and deeper engagement with their communities, including through emerging marketing strategies such as social media and content-driven outreach.

This session has been generously sponsored by Leap Event Technology - PatronManager.

Speaker(s): Pratichi Shah, President and CEO, Flourish Talent Management Solutions and Member of the Board of Directors, League of American Orchestras.

Why make an inclusive culture a top priority for your orchestra? When people are truly valued and included, they feel more engaged, are supported to reach their full potential, and naturally contribute their best to your organization.

In this interactive session, you'll explore practical strategies and hear real-world examples from orchestras of all sizes that are building positive, inclusive workplaces for musicians, staff, and board members, no matter their race or gender.

Walk away with actionable insights that will help you create a supportive environment where every person in your organization feels connected, valued, and aligned with your mission.

This session will highlight the work of orchestras featured in the League’s upcoming Catalyst Guide on Inclusive Cultures, including recipients of Catalyst Fund Incubator grantees. Join us to discover how prioritizing inclusion and belonging can unlock your orchestra’s full potential as a thriving, impactful community.

This session is made possible by generous grants from the Mellon Foundation and Sakana Foundation.

Speaker(s): Daniel Crupi, Executive Director, Asheville Symphony; Joseph McKenna, President & CEO, Sarasota Orchestra; Jan Newcomb, Executive Director, National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER); and Kelly Waltrip, Executive Director, Denver Young Artists Orchestra

Orchestras, like any business or home, need to prepare in advance for disruption that can result from emergencies like natural disasters and public safety threats. Given all the scenarios that require more hands on deck to mitigate damage, assess threats, and forge ahead after a disruption happens, is your orchestra prepared? Learn about essential steps every orchestra can take today to set in place plans to limit damage and continue to deliver on mission.

Speaker(s): Renée Fleming, former Artistic Advisor at Large, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Assal Habibi, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California; Indre Viskontas, Associate Professor University of San Francisco, Cognitive Neuroscientist, Science Communicator and Opera Stage Director

Following her keynote at the Opening Session, Soprano Renée Fleming is joined by leading experts from the music and health field for a free-ranging conversation about the power of music to improve health and support brain development. We will hear insights from the cutting edge of research that can inform orchestras as they continue to expand their work in this life-changing area that deeply enhances their relationships with their communities.

Speaker(s): Sean Baker, Director of Institutional Giving, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Elizabeth Crittenden, Director of Corporate Support, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Institutional (grant and sponsor) funding often requires extensive research, cultivation, and discussions with funders, along with reporting and/or marketing requirements. Organizational alignment that supports meeting requirements such as research, cultivation, program delivery, and reporting, relies on development, program, finance, marketing, and executive offices working together.

This type of collaboration is often referred to as a "culture of philanthropy," in which all staff and departments understand how philanthropic funding supports their work. Within a culture of philanthropy, development staff leverage the subject matter expertise of program staff in support of funding proposals as well as the systems and workflows used by other departments to sustain philanthropic support, often uncovering inefficiencies in the organization.

This session will address how to create and sustain a culture of philanthropy, examine these best practices, and demonstrate the lifecycle of an institutional gift, highlighting case studies with lessons learned and commentary from panelists along the way.

Speaker(s): Annie Agle, Vice President of Impact and Sustainability, Cotopaxi

Every orchestra can take steps to limit climate impact, such as choosing energy efficient options, reducing waste, encouraging use of public transit, and bringing focus to environmental concerns through the music we present. Join us to discuss innovative solutions and how to build sustainability into our operations, from global efforts to protect endangered woods to changes in offices, performance venues, and touring practices.

Speaker(s): TBD

How can orchestras create truly inclusive stages and cultures? This session will explore the latest approaches to increasing representation on stage and fostering belonging across the organization. Through insightful discussions and real-world examples led by a panel of Inclusive Stages Coalition members, attendees will uncover actions they can take to drive meaningful change in their orchestras.

This session is made possible by a generous grant from the Sakana Foundation.

Speaker(s): Steve Collins, President and CEO, Hartford Symphony; Shayne Doty, Vice President of Development, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; David Fisk, President & CEO, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Mieko Hatano, Chief Executive Officer, Oakland Symphony; Daniel Kohn;, Director of Audience Engagement, Orchestra Lumos; Sarah Lempke O'Hare, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Louisville Orchestra; and Roger Sametz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sametz Blackstone Associates

All orchestras are challenged to raise awareness of orchestral music, expand their reach, attract new audiences, and diversify the revenue streams that make the music possible. Regardless of your orchestra’s staff and budget size, learn how your orchestra can communicate and measure its relevance and address real time community needs and priorities. This session will extract key strategies from recent successful case studies on how to create a convincing and authentic narrative that generates new support and engagement.

This session has been generously sponsored by JCA.

Speaker(s): Elizabeth Brown-Ellis, Executive Director, Lima Symphony; Sean Claire, Violinist and Concertmaster, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and Symphony of the Mountains; Ben Kipp, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera; Theodore Wiprud, Composer and Consultant; and Dr. Karen Yair, Vice President, Research and Resources, League of American Orchestras

At this session, we’re excited to share a new League guide developed in response to growing member interest and activity in the important area of health and wellness.

With a growing understanding of music’s profound influence on wellbeing, orchestras are finding meaningful roles in addressing community health needs. From live music in healthcare settings and performances for neurodivergent audiences to mental health support and wellness events, orchestras are stepping into new territory, even partnering in medical research. This session will provide the practical insights your orchestra needs to take its first steps or deepen its role in community health and wellness. Learning from the experiences of innovative, well-established programs across budget groups, attendees will gain both inspiration and actionable guidance. Join us to explore how orchestras are building the partnerships they need to listen and respond to community needs, and—in the process—to expand their impact.