The NHSO Classics Series has brought top-quality, professional performances of classical music to concert halls for 126 years. This season, the NHSO will perform a total of eight concerts at Yale’s Woolsey Hall in New Haven. The 2019-2020 season features works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Price, Dvorak, Barber, Mazzoli, Abels and more. 

Our Mission is to increase the impact and value of orchestral music for our audiences through high quality, affordable performances and educational programming. Our musicians inspire, delight, challenge, and unite larger and more diverse communities.

The long-term goal of the NHSO Classics Series is to provide opportunities for audiences throughout Connecticut to celebrate our classical music heritage, enriched through new American compositions, by expanding opportunities for symphonic performances and music education. 

We will pursue this goal through:

1. Live concert performances by the professional symphony and guest artists;

2. Promotion of new works by American composers-in-residence and composers well-versed in Asian, African and Latin traditions, including performances of their works;

The NHSO Pops series has expanded in recent years to include four performances in Hamden. This is in addition to the Orchestra's long-held tradition of performing these concerts in Shelton. Due to Symphony's success in Shelton, performances were moved to Shelton High School, allowing the NHSO to reach a larger audience.

The NHSO's live Pops performances of American music and light classics exceed expectations, unite communities, delight, challenge, and inspire. 

The long term goal of the NHSO is to celebrate our Pops music heritage, enriched through American compositions, by expanding opportunities for symphonic performances and music education. We will celebrate this Vision through:

1. Live performances centered on pops music, supplemented by chamber and ensemble performances by orchestra members and guest artists;

2. Performances for children and families that introduce the Pops music heritage and the major forms of its presentation; and

 The success of the program is measured both quantitatively and subjectively. The NHSO box office tracks success in reaching listeners through tickets sales software and analysis of audience behavior. Audience surveys are utilized to assess listener satisfaction and to solicit input for future improvements. The response of professional reviewers is collected from the local media. Members of the audience submit (unsolicited) feedback on how the Orchestra has affected them.  Members of the Board of Directors are identified to the audience with name tags and they solicit informal feedback from patrons.

 In past years, the work of the NHSO has been centered in New Haven.  The Symphony's focus on regionalization has led to a rapid expansion of programs, especially in Hamden and Shelton. In 2017-2018, both towns hosted four Pops performances. NHSO education programs supplement this performance schedule in the high schools and middle schools. This expansion provides increased performances opportunities for our musicians and provides more professional Pops concerts in more towns in Connecticut.

The NHSO Family Concert Series offers children and their families a lively introduction to the orchestra and its music through child-friendly performances of familiar repertoire. Musicians from the orchestra and guest performers bring music to life for young audiences in one-hour programs that include narration and visuals along with the music. A special focus on literacy has led to a partnership with New Haven Reads.  A popular children’s book is integrated into each Family Series program.  

 The New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s live performances of family concerts exceed expectations, unite communities, delight, challenge, and inspire.

1. Live performances centered on symphony and pops concerts, supplemented by chamber and ensemble performances by orchestra members and guest artists;

2. Promotion of new works by American composers-in-residence and composers well-versed in Asian, African and Latin traditions, including performances of their works;

3. Support of youth and community orchestras and classical music education;

4. Performances for children and families that introduce the classical music heritage and the major forms of its presentation; and

5. Social networks and other media that enhance accessibility to classical music and its interpretation.

Audience surveys are collected after each concert and also at the end of the season. The NHSO is able to monitor results and attendance throughout the season and then analyze all of the information once the series closes. The NHSO can then begin making any necessary changes to the series during the planning phase for the next season's series. Because of the Family Concert Series' seasonal and evolving nature, the NHSO is able to glean insights from the past season, implement changes into the following season series, and test new ideas quite quickly. This allows the season to grow and develop to fit the needs of the communities, schools, and families. 

 In past years the work of the NHSO has been centered in New Haven.  Our focus on regionalization has led to an expansion of programs, especially in Shelton.  

Education and Community Engagement Initiatives reach more than 20,000 students in 42 Connecticut towns. The programs includes orchestra concerts, workshops with professional musicians, and partnerships with arts institutions.

Outreach extends to programs celebrating New Haven's diverse community. In 2017-2019, the NHSO hosts a composer residency with composer Michael Brown, and the NHSO brings back Haitian-American hip hop violinist, Daniel Bernard Roumain for an educational artist residency in 2019.

Prior to each Classics Series performance, a Student Showcase features student ensembles from local schools.

 The long term goal of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra is to celebrate our classical music heritage, enriched through new American compositions, by expanding opportunities for symphonic performances and music education. We will celebrate this Vision through:

1. Live performances centered on symphony and pops concerts and supported by education activities;

2. Promotion of new works by American composers-in-residence and composers well-versed in Asian, African and Latin traditions, including performances of their works;

3. Support of youth and community orchestras and classical music education;

4. Performances for children and families that introduce the classical music heritage and the major forms of its presentation; and

 The success of the program is measured both quantitatively and subjectively.  The NHSO education directors tracks the number of students participating each year and analyzes audience behavior.  Surveys of both teachers and students are utilized to assess listener satisfaction and to solicit input for future improvements.  Students write essays about their NHSO experience and send letters to Music Director William Boughton. 

The NHSO Comprehensive Education Program has seen dramatic success in reaching young audiences throughout Connecticut.  The Symphony presents programs in 7 of 8 counties in Connecticut.  As the NHSO expands its concert offerings around the state, NHSO education programs are expanded to supplement the performance schedule.  This extensive activity provides increased performances opportunities for NHSO musicians and provides access to professional teaching artists to more towns in Connecticut.

The NHSO gives back to the New Haven community by assisting area not-for-profits in presenting simple and affordable fundraisers.  In December 2017, the NHSO partnered with Christy's Pub to host a benefit dinner for the Community Soup Kitchen in conjunction with its holiday concert. This was the seventh season in which the NHSO helped to raise funds for this vital community resource. 

The Vision of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra is to celebrate our classical music heritage, enriched through new American compositions, by expanding opportunities for symphonic performances and music education. We will celebrate this Vision through:

1. Collaborations that result in live performances of symphony and pops music enhanced by other art forms or experiences outside of the concert hall;

2. Promotion of new works by American composers-in-residence and composers well-versed in Asian, African and Latin traditions, including performances of their works;

3. Social networks and other media that enhance accessibility to classical music and its interpretation. 

The success of each program is measured both quantitatively and subjectively.  The NHSO box office or Education department tracks success in reaching listeners through tickets sales software, crowd counting and analysis of audience behavior.  Audience surveys are utilized to assess listener satisfaction and to solicit input for future improvements.  The response of professional reviewers is collected from the local media.  Members of the audience submit (unsolicited) feedback on how the Orchestra has affected them.   Members of the Board of Directors are identified to the audience with name tags and they solicit informal feedback from our patrons.