Who We Are
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra (est. 1934) is one of nation’s oldest state-assisted orchestras, with 54 contracted instrumentalists and around 40 annual performances statewide in concert halls, beautiful natural settings, and historic and community buildings, In addition to concert programming, SymphonyKids presentations annually reach thousands of school children statewide. The VSO serves Vermont year round with in-school educational programming, children’s concerts, commissions, as well as choral and chamber music concerts.
VSO Mission Statement
VSO Values
- MUSIC: We enrich lives through performances and educational programs of the highest caliber.
- STATEWIDE COMMUNITY: Through music, we commit to strengthening the social fabric of Vermont by meeting the needs of our communities, transcending geographic and demographic boundaries.
- INCLUSIVITY: We believe in actively taking part in the work toward equity, diversity, and access, in order to rebalance historic inequities.
- CREATIVITY: We value innovative and original ideas and their application to performing and teaching music and solving problems.
- STEWARDSHIP: We recognize the importance of managing and maximizing our resources honestly, prudently, and transparently.
VSO Vision Statement
To be the cultural and social leader in Vermont through music.
VSO Strategic Plan (2025-2027)
GOAL 1: Providing meaningful, evocative, and high caliber musical experiences
OBJECTIVES
To put VSO’s professional musicians at the front and center of its performances, marketing
and educational programming
To put resources behind broad and innovative audience-building activities
To revitalize and empower the Artistic Committee and its charter
To ensure two-way communications with audiences and stakeholders
GOAL 2: Serving as a resource for statewide music education in schools, communities, and the concert hall
OBJECTIVES
To continually expand the number of participants engaged and the geographic reach of our educational programs
To strengthen and establish new strategic links with youth music programs
To offer adult education opportunities in programming
To empower and ensure the vitality of the Education Committee and its charter
GOAL 3: Embedding inclusivity and equity in the work of the VSO
OBJECTIVES
To standardize inclusion of traditionally underrepresented artists and composers in VSO programming
To actively seek out, develop and engage audiences in all sectors of Vermont society
To achieve broader, more diverse representation throughout the organization’s constituencies
GOAL 4: Operating a sustainable non-profit business
OBJECTIVES
To engage exemplary people to run a best-in-class organization
To grow and maintain a healthy financial position
To align artistic planning with available resources
To enhance our name recognition and build an increasingly relevant brand