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St. Louis Symphony hits a high note with first balanced budget in years

David Robertson, the St. Louis Symphony's musical director, leads the orchestra in this file photo.
Scott Ferguson | Provided
David Robertson, the St. Louis Symphony's musical director, leads the orchestera.

The St. Louis Symphony ended 2016 with the healthiest bottom line in many years.

The good news includes the first balanced cash operating budget this century for the institution, which has a budget of $28.1 million, up from $26.6 million last year. The symphony saw growth in philanthropic support, and increased attendance and ticket sales.

In a news release, St. Louis Symphony President and CEO, Marie-Hélène Bernard praised the symphony's board and the generosity of the St. Louis area. She cited innovative experiences as factors in the orchestra’s achievements.

“At home, on tour and through electronic media projects, the St. Louis Symphony is reaching a growing audience and finding new and fresh ways to make music relevant here and around the world,” Bernard said.

Figures that contributed to the Symphony’s banner year include:

  • The annual campaign garnered $7.68 million from 5,394 donors — 30 percent of whom were new.
  • Endowment-related assets under management exceeded $200 million.
  • Overall ticket revenue increased by almost 4 percent to $6.87 million.

Barry Beracha, chairman of the St. Louis Symphony Board of Trustees, said many people contributed to the organization's accomplishments.

“Thanks to our growing audiences and generous donors and sponsors, we just completed one of the most successful years in recent Symphony history,” Beracha said.

Follow Nancy on Twitter: @NancyFowlerSTL

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the time the symphony went without a balanced budget.

Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org.

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Nancy is a veteran journalist whose career spans television, radio, print and online media. Her passions include the arts and social justice, and she particularly delights in the stories of people living and working in that intersection.