Madison Symphony Ticket Sales Reach All-Time High

Halfway through their third season in Overture Hall, Music Director John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) are again breaking organizational records for subscribers with a record 5,005 season ticket holders, marking the official close of the MSO's 2006-2007 season subscription campaign. The MSO continues to buck national industry trends pointing toward declining subscription sales in favor of lastminute single ticket purchases.

The 5,005 total represents a 2% increase over the 2005-2006 season total of 4,916. It also surpasses the number of subscribers attained in the 2004-2005 Overture Hall inaugural season (4,966), a season in which the MSO experienced a blockbuster 1,600 new subscribers, roughly double the number of new subscribers the MSO attracts in an average season. According to the MSO's internal research of other orchestras around the nation, the inaugural season in a new concert facility is typically the largest the largest subscription boon an arts organization can hope to achieve, after which subscription and single ticket sales generally decline and then level off.

"The novelty effect of a new performance venue has been demonstrated time and again with performing arts organizations across the country. For the MSO to increase season ticket sales in year three of a new facility is basically unheard of in our industry," noted Marketing Director Sherri Prentiss. "This is a testament to the thrilling, high-quality concerts that John DeMain and our musicians deliver."

With 1,065 new subscribers this season, the MSO continues to convert countless single ticket buyers into full-fledged subscribers by offering introductory subscription packages at 50% off single ticket prices. An unprecedented money-back guarantee on third Balcony subscriptions also boosted sales this season. Consistently high subscription renewal rates validate the MSO's decision to expand to a Friday evening subscription series in the 2004-2005 season.

Subscriptions are no longer available for the 2006-2007 season, but single tickets can be purchased through the Overture Center Box Office. -- www.madisonsymphony.org