2025–26 SEASON
DONOR IMPACT REPORT YOUR IMPACT ON US. OUR IMPACT ON PHILADELPHIA AND THE WORLD.
DEAR FRIENDS, The 2025–26 season was one of reflection, celebration, and forward momentum for The Philadelphia Orchestra. As we marked the 125th anniversary of the “Philadelphia Sound,” we honored a legacy that has shaped the world of music for generations while continuing to look ahead with purpose and imagination. Under the visionary leadership of Music and Artistic Director Yannick NézetSéguin, this milestone season brought together timeless masterworks, bold contemporary voices, and extraordinary performances that reaffirmed the Orchestra’s place among the world’s leading ensembles. This season also coincided with our nation’s 250th anniversary, offering opportunities to reflect on our shared history and explore the evolving story of American music. Through performances that celebrated both tradition and innovation, we continued to connect audiences with music that inspires, challenges, and unites. Our impact extended far beyond the concert hall. Thousands of students across the Philadelphia region experienced the power of live orchestral music—many for the very first time—through our education and community engagement programs. We created spaces for connection and celebration through events such as our Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concert and Pride Concert, and we continued to serve as a cultural ambassador for Philadelphia, sharing the artistry of this remarkable ensemble with audiences across the country and around the world. This season also marked the final chapter of our comprehensive campaign—a transformative effort to sustain artistic excellence, expand access to music, and secure the Orchestra’s future for generations to come. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, we are poised to complete the most ambitious fundraising campaign in The Philadelphia Orchestra’s history. This achievement will strengthen our ability to serve audiences, support our musicians, and deepen our impact for decades to come. Your generosity sustains artistic excellence, fuels creativity, and ensures that music remains a vital force in our communities. Simply put, your support makes everything we do possible. Thank you for your commitment to The Philadelphia Orchestra and to the enduring power of music. With gratitude,
Ryan Fleur President & CEO
Our Orchestra After 5 series introduces new and younger audiences to the Orchestra through innovative programming and a welcoming concert experience.
34%
of attendees are brand new Orchestra ticket buyers
Building tomorrow’s audiences, today
61%
of attendees are Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z
Postcards from Spain
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Honoring Legacy. CHAMPIONING NEW VOICES. 125 YEARS OF THE “PHILADELPHIA SOUND” Led by the bold artistic vision of Music and Artistic Director Yannick NézetSéguin, the 2025–26 season was a tribute to the 125 years of artistry and innovation that have defined the Orchestra’s legacy. As November marked the official birthday of the Orchestra, donors at all levels celebrated with us in a month of giving. Throughout the season, we honored America’s 250th anniversary with works the Orchestra introduced to America (Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5) while spotlighting contemporary American voices who are shaping the future of classical music (John Adams, Tyshawn Sorey, Julia Wolfe).
“Nézet-Séguin is reimagining the role of the modern orchestra”—60 Minutes
A NEW COMPOSER-INRESIDENCE
A PULITZER PRIZE–WINNING COMMISSION
In October 2025, we announced the appointment of composer, conductor, and pianist Joe Hisaishi as composerin-residence. In this role, he will record a major commercial release, mentor Philadelphia-based composition students via partnerships with schools and conservatories, curate a series of contemporary music concerts, and conduct Orchestra performances. With nearly 40 solo albums and over 100 film scores to his name, Hisaishi is one of the most celebrated composers of our time.
May 2026 saw former composer-inresidence Gabriela Lena Frank’s Picaflor: A Future Myth win the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Music. The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin co-commissioned Picaflor and gave the world premiere of the piece in March 2025 with Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop. Picaflor: A Future Myth marks the third Pulitzer Prize–winning composition commissioned by the Orchestra.
Expanding Access. INSPIRING FUTURES. ENGAGING WITH THE NEXT GENERATION Throughout the 2025–26 season, over 6,150 students—from 115 registered schools across the region—joined us for the Jane H. Kesson School Concerts. These concerts are designed to introduce classical music to elementary-aged students through live performances and active engagement. Led by Assistant Conductor Naomi Woo, the program explored works by Beethoven, Vivaldi, and more. For many students, our School Concerts are their first encounter with a live orchestra, and for all Philadelphia Public Schools, our education programs are 100% free thanks to generous donor support. This season also saw us build on our strategic goal of bringing Philadelphia students to our venues multiple times throughout their K–12 experience. Through five Open Rehearsals, the Orchestra hosted nearly 4,250 students for an inside perspective on what goes into preparing for a professional symphony concert. Many of our donors had the opportunity to see this program in action during a spring Open Rehearsal attended by hundreds of students from area schools—a unique experience that provided supporters with a window into our arts education work. And, in a singular moment that united the Orchestra’s ticketed performances, artistic partnerships, and arts education programs, the Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop, and the trio Time for Three welcomed students from our School Ensemble Program and our All City Orchestra Fellows to the Marian Anderson Hall stage for an encore, “Joy,” inspired by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School Students
“We are so thankful for School Concerts! It is a joy to have a conductor who can engage with young audiences and be so involved. Thank you for the many ways you bring music to life for our city.”
—Michele Odhner, Spruance Elementary, Music K–8
Watch student musicians perform with Time for Three and The Philadelphia Orchestra
MAKING MUSIC ACCESSIBLE TO ALL Thanks to significant individual and corporate support, The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 36th free Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concert was held this year in Marian Anderson Hall—a setting especially fitting as we honored Dr. King’s legacy of courage and service in a space that now carries the name of another civil rights trailblazer. After many years of performing at Girard College, 2026 marked the sixth time that the Orchestra’s annual January concert was held at the Kimmel Center. In audience engagement, our Student Circle $8 ticket program continued to grow, as high school and college student participation increased 20% over the last two years. And through our Free Educator Tickets Program we offered 222 free tickets to School
District of Philadelphia educators and administrators, deepening the partnership between the Orchestra and our city’s school system. Just 12 hours after it was announced, tickets to our free annual Pride Concert in June were completely sold out—the fastest in its history—with more than 5,000 attendees joining the celebration. Hosted by Trixie Mattel (RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars) and led by conductor Carolyn Kuan, the festive event featured performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra, ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir, Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Transcendent Choir of Philadelphia, and cast members from the touring production of The Notebook.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concert
“ The annual Pride Concert is a testament to a community that continues to show our pride and support for each other. I am so proud that the Orchestra offers this free celebration to Philadelphia, and I am thrilled to support it through my philanthropy.” —Dr. James Dougherty
In our hometown and AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATING OUR MUSICIANS
2026 C. HARTMAN KUHN AWARD
In the 2025–26 season, we welcomed new members to The Philadelphia Orchestra, including Sam Huss, trumpet; Victoria Knudtson, assistant principal horn; and Eugene Lin, cello. We recognized the exemplary contributions of our distinguished musicians, including the 25th anniversary of Che-Hung Chen; 50th anniversaries of Jonathan Beiler and Richard Harlow; and the retirement of Boris Balter, Holly Blake, and Jonathan Blumenfeld. We thank them for their extraordinary dedication and artistry, and for the countless unforgettable performances they’ve given to our audiences at home and around the world.
We are thrilled to recognize this year’s recipient of the C. Hartman Kuhn Award, given annually to “the member of The Philadelphia Orchestra who has shown ability and enterprise of such character as to enhance the standards and the reputation of the ensemble.” Yannick selected bassist Nathaniel West, praising his high level of engagement on and off stage. “Nate represents the complete orchestra citizen,” said Nézet-Séguin. “He’s an incredibly dedicated musician contributing every note to our legendary bass section with all of his intensity and musicality, but also by contributing to the greater good of the Orchestra.”
Nathaniel West, bass
A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL IMPACT As one of the most traveled American orchestras, The Philadelphia Orchestra has now carried the “Philadelphia Sound” on more than 100 U.S. tours. This season saw the ensemble tour Florida and the Midwest, sharing the magic of the Orchestra with national audiences and welcoming a special group of patrons who joined the ensemble in Naples and Orlando. Internationally, a delegation of 10 Orchestra musicians traveled to China, continuing a decades-long relationship that began in 1973. This visit reinforced our commitment to cultural exchange and global connection through music. From iconic concert halls to meaningful community engagement, the Orchestra’s touring program continues to bring the “Philadelphia Sound” to the world.
Principal Clarinet Ricardo Morales works with a student while visiting the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
CELEBRATING TRANSFORMATIONAL GIVING This season, we celebrated the enduring impact of philanthropy through the naming of three distinguished Orchestra chairs. A transformational $10 million gift from Susan Kim and her parents, James and Agnes Kim, named the Concertmaster Chair held by David Kim, while also establishing the James and Agnes Kim Fund for Korean Artistry and Engagement and supporting our education programs. We are equally grateful to Linda and David Glickstein for naming the Principal Timpani Chair, held by Don Liuzzi, and to Ambassador Amy Gutmann and Dr. Michael Doyle for naming the Associate Principal Cello Chair, held by Priscilla Lee. Together, these investments ensure that the artistry of our musicians will resonate for generations to come.
Susan Kim with Concertmaster David Kim
Ambassador Amy Gutmann and Dr. Michael Doyle with Associate Principal Cello Priscilla Lee
David and Linda Glickstein with Principal Timpani Don S. Liuzzi
Plan Your
LEGACY Thank you to the members of the Wister Society who have included The Philadelphia Orchestra in their estate plans, helping to ensure the magic of the “Philadelphia Sound” endures.
Hear why others have given
“The Orchestra has had a profound impact on my life. Supporting the annual fund allows me to give back today, and my estate gift creates a continuity of giving. By directing my gift to the endowment, my support will continue year after year. It’s meaningful to know that beyond my lifetime, I can help sustain an institution that has given me so much.” — Walter Zanchuk, Wister Society member
“If you have a purpose in which you can believe, there’s no end to the amount of things you can accomplish.” —Marian Anderson
Yannick Nézet-Séguin holds the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Chair.
The Jane H. Kesson School Concert Program is supported in part by the Christian Humann Foundation, Stephanie Naidoff, and an anonymous donor.
Marin Alsop holds the Ralph and Beth Johnston Muller Chair. David Kim holds the James and Agnes Kim Foundation Chair. Priscilla Lee holds the Ambassador Amy Gutmann and Dr. Michael Doyle Chair. Ricardo Morales holds the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Chair. Don Liuzzi holds the Don S. Liuzzi Chair, given by Linda and David Glickstein. The Hess Foundation provides leadership support for The Philadelphia Orchestra’s education programs and audience development initiatives. Orchestra After 5 is supported by Presenting Sponsor KeyBank. The Student Circle Ticket Program is supported by the Amy P. Goldman Foundation.
The School Ensemble Program at KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School is funded with lead support from the William Penn Foundation and additional support from the Anne M. and Philip H. Glatfelter III Family Foundation, the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, and Dr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Townsend. The Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute Concert was supported by James Anderson and Kathleen Schweitzer, the Annenberg Foundation, and PECO. The Pride Concert was supported by a lead gift from Dr. James F. Dougherty. Additional support was given by Donald E. Barb, Esq., and the Rev. Bruce H. Davidson, Christos Coutifaris and Deborah Driscoll in memory of Woody Driscoll, MaryAnn Edwards, Lyft, Allan Schimmel, and Jennifer and Ralph Watts.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Florida and Midwest Tours were supported through funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2025 China Residency was made possible through the generous support of Lead Sponsor Bank of China, the Ford Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Philadelphia International Airport, PHLCVB, the U.S. Department of State, and the US-China Cultural Institute. Proud Sponsor of The Philadelphia Orchestra: TD Bank. Lead Community Engagement Partner: Independence Blue Cross. Additional support provided by PNC Arts Alive. Additional support for the Orchestra’s education programs is provided by Bells Grocery Store, the CHG Charitable Trust, the James and Agnes Kim Foundation, KPK Development Co., LP, John McFadden and Lisa Kabnick, Merck, Diane Schneider, and Carol Tyler.
You have received this Philadelphia Orchestra Impact Report because of your generous philanthropic support. If you would like to change your contact preferences, please notify us at 215.893.3151 or development@philorch.org. Photos: Allie Ippolito, Jeff Fusco, Margo Reed, Kent Corley