Annual AMERICAN Report YOUTH 2015/16 SYMPHONY Concert Season Come as your are. Leave Inspired. New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters I am incredibly honored and excited to become Orchestra, to name a few. And it is because of this the next Music Director of the American Youth belief that I cherish the opportunity to contribute Symphony, an ensemble with a deep history and to the future of classical music by taking what I view a bright future in the great city of Los Angeles. as the natural next step in the progression of my journey and my life -- the American Youth Symphony. I come to AYS as a dedicated musician who after years of experience as a regular guest I am thrilled to begin guiding our musicians both conductor across five continents, a concert cellist, off-stage and on for my inaugural concert season in and a composer, looks forward to working with 2016/17. Featuring several major classical works, the today’s most talented young musicians. I’m also repertoire prepares AYS musicians for the demands the Music Director of the Alabama Symphony of a 21st century professional orchestra. Such giants Orchestra, a husband, and father of three little kids. as Mozart and Korngold need no introduction, and I am particularly excited to kick off the season Having grown up in Caracas in a musical household has with Mahler’s Symphony No.1 on October 16 and to certainly been instrumental in my choice to become join electric-guitar icon Steve Vai on-stage at Walt both a musician and a passionate advocate of the Disney Concert Hall on March 11 for a concert that arts. My father is a respected conductor and music features Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring! Whether educator in Venezuela and my mother is an artistic you’re a dyed-by-the-wool aficionado or a classical administrator and fundraiser. They encouraged me music newcomer, a fan of music in general or even from an early age to work hard as a musician, but also a videogamer (check out what we have planned to experience the world and see how the arts have for February 12!), there is something for audiences been an instrument for positive change. When I heard across all music backgrounds this concert season. about AYS and its longstanding commitment to culture and social outreach, I knew it would be a unique Every bright future is built on a solid foundation, and it opportunity to continue Maestro Mehli Mehta’s mission. is in that spirit that we share this Annual Report and our many success during the 2015/16 concert season. As AYS is a place for great musical talents to unite and a valued member and contributor to our community, experience the high demands of the professional please know that it is through your support of and world while forging lifelong friendships in a highly belief in our mission that we are able to mentor the competitive environment. The talent, focus, and musical minds of tomorrow and to put a rich, beautiful precision of AYS musicians have moved me beyond art form within reach of all audiences. Together, we words. Their spirit and tenacity, their musical vivacity, have made the American Youth Symphony a truly and the fresh perspective they take to their exploration inspirational force in the world of classical music. of riveting orchestral works inspire and invigorate classical music audiences new and seasoned alike. Please take a moment to read through our annual As an elite Fellowship training orchestra that fosters report so that you may better understand the enriching mentorship relationships, AYS and I share a remarkable impact that your generosity has had. firm belief in the familial responsibility that binds each successive cohort of musicians and our community. It With sincerest gratitude, is because of this belief in a musical family that I have worked tirelessly to support the next generation of musicians by having collaborated with leading music education institutions such as Venezuela’s El Sistema, Colombia’s National Youth Symphony, Brazil’s Neojiba, Carlos Izcaray Interlochen Center for the Arts, Cambridge University Music Director Music Society, and London Schools Symphony New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters WHO WE The American Youth Symphony’s mission is to inspire the future of classical music. We share exceptional, innovative concerts based on our landmark Fellowship program for musicians ages 15-27 for free or significantly reduced admission. Competitively selected, our orchestra is comprised of 100 musicians who represent extraordinary talent from all over the ARE world. By gifting our community with remarkable concerts at world-class venues, we remain committed to creating access and opportunity for everyone to experience the inspiration of this beautiful art form. WHAT WE BELIEVE Access to world-class classical music Fellowship should be based solely on merit, not financial means. Exceptional quality orchestral performances should be accessible to all members of thecommunity. Classical music is not only alive and vibrant, but is relevant to all audiences. Musicians have a responsibility to be engaged citizens in the communities they serve. New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters Share-A-Stand The American Youth Symphony’s in-school music and mentoring program is now serving twice as many schools, and three times as many students! From performance technique to theory to composition, Share-A-Stand provides students with hands-on musical instruction and is offered at such Title 1 LAUSD schools as Markham Middle School in Watts and Robert Frost Middle School in Granada Hills. AYS musicians mentor Share-A-Stand participants on everything from how to hold a bow and maintain a successful practice routine to how to analyze favorite songs. In addition to a culminative concert given at the Share-A-Stand host school and featuring a side-by-side with AYS musicians, the program provides participants and their families with free transportation to two AYS concerts per season. The Orchestra The American Youth Symphony is a musical laboratory where Fellows not only master their parts and develop a deep understanding of musical scores, but also explore their role as musician citizens within their community. With a 10% acceptance rate and an average of three audition attempts per musician, positions in the AYS orchestra are extremely competitive. Fellows represent between 25-35 different schools and provide 8 concerts per season between September and May. Each Fellow receives a tuition-free scholarship and a per- concert stipend, performs at renowned venues such as Royce Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and works alongside world-class guest artists such as Daníel Bjarnason, Anna Clyne, Sarah Chang, Johannes Moser, John Williams, David Newman, Alan Silvestri, Charles Fox, and Lera Auerbach. New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters From exclusive Members’ Priority performances. ...to post-concert Members’ Priority Concert, May 7 2016 Members’ Priority Concert reception, May 7 2016 receptions. From themed, pre-concert ...to dinners... live-to-picture movie events. Hollywood Project dinner, September 27, 2015 Star Trek Into Darkness Live-to-Picture, September 27, 2015 From intimate Q&A’s with award- winning composers... ...to Pre-concert Q&A with composer Michael Giacchino, September 27, 2015 51st Annual Gala, April 1, 2016 annual galas... AYS concertgoers know how to have a good time! New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters TOTAL YEARLY CONCERT RESERVATIONS (CONCERT SEASONS 2012/13 - 2015/16) 12000 (10, 527)* (9,518) 10000 (9,235) 1,954 unique accounts increase 52% 1,745 unique accounts 8000 6000 (5,002) *100% of Sept. 27 post-concert survey respondents indicated that they would consider returning for a future AYS performance 4000 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 22% 20% 53% of 2015/16 51% of audience 53% of 2015-16 30% members during the 30% audience members 7/8 (88%) 2015/16 concert season concert season identified as P.O.C. of concerts sold out were years of age 47% audience members under 40 45% Asian, Pacific Islander during the Under 30 years of age were first-time Black, African American 53% 2015-16 season 30-39 years of age classical concert Hispanic, Latino (based on ticket 40-59 years of age attendees Multiracial 2% reservations) Over 59 years of age (via data from online White, Caucasian 29% surveys) 12% 21% 88% 11% New Music Our Mission, Our Our Our Fiscal Alumni AYS Our Our Director! Our Vision Programs Events Audience Responsibility Spotlights Testimonials Tea m Supporters STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION LIABILITIES FY 14/15 FY 13/14 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $9,512 $26,988 Line of Credit $17,045 ASSETS FY 14/15 FY 13/14 Cash and Cash Equivalents $156,505 $69,154 TOTAL LIABILITIES $9,512 $44,033 Investments $103,692 $103,311 Contributions Recievable, Net $434,600 $440,729 NET ASSETS FY 14/15 FY 13/14 Other Recievables $800 $1,125 Unrestricted $159,426 $26,639 Other Assets $2,707 $2,564 Temporarily Restricted $438,292 $449,964