Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is a vital community service organization that entertains, educates, heals, and inspires through musical excellence, innovation, and collaboration. TSO provides over 30 major concerts each season for over 55, 000 Tulsans each season. TSO's programs include classical music concerts, chamber music concerts, chamber orchestra concerts, special concerts for film and live orchestra, free family concerts, and free community and education enrichment programs at area schools, hospitals, senior and assisted living facilities, and community centers. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has impacted TSO's ability to offer concerts as well as its ticket sales and attendance rates once performances resumed in fall 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many of TSO's education and community outreach programs were converted to a digital format, increasing project production costs. TSO is requesting consideration of $201,215 from the State to offset lost revenue from canceled and reduced-attendance concerts due to the COVID 19 crisis. If granted, funds would be used to fund administrative, staff, and musician salaries.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra (TSO) enriches lives everywhere through musical excellence, connects with people from all communities through the power of music, and enriches and impacts our diverse communities through inclusive collaboration. The healing powers of music provided by the TSO improve mental health and provide healing and comfort, services that have been essential during the pandemic. TSO serves Tulsa County and surrounding counties through concerts and community and education programs year-round. While TSO was able to resume in-person concerts in Fall 2021, TSO was still unable to perform services at many hospitals, senior and assisted living facilities, and schools due to COVID-19 safety restrictions. These restrictions have disproportionately affected the TSO's ability to serve Tulsa's vulnerable populations as well as area children. Community and education enrichment programs do not generate revenue so can only continue through revenue earned from ticket sales and philanthropic and grant funds. Funds from the State would increase TSO's ability to provide enrichment services to the community.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Internal controls are in place for monitoring project performance, including tracking performance revenue and maintaining records of project expenses and other financial data. TSO maintains and retains all financial records and data for a period of seven years. Formal, written policies are in place to document guidelines and procedures for all financial activities.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma