Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra Announces Closure

Following declining ticket and subscription sales, the Kansas-based orchestra said it is no longer financially viable

Kansas's Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra (HSO) has announced that it will wind down its operations at the close of the 2023/24 season. The orchestra's final performance will take place on Sunday, April 7, at 3 p.m., with guest artists Acoustic Eidolon.

The orchestra cited a shrinking patron base as the principal problem facing the HSO, with both subscription and single ticket sales in decline. In addition, the orchestra relies on a volunteer leadership group which has seen a similar decline in numbers.

Another contributor to rising costs was the fact that many of the orchestra's players hail from outside of Hutchinson, and therefore require higher pay to offset the costs of traveling.

The HSO noted that they had attempted to shift their programming to include more pop and contemporary music, but that this had sadly not resulted in higher ticket sales.

Founded in 1964, in recent years, the orchestra performed three concerts per season — as well as presenting School Swing concerts that reached 3,000 schoolchildren each year.

"This has been a difficult decision, and there has been much effort expended to try to find ways to continue the mission," wrote the Board of Directors in a statement. "Many loyal donors have reached deep into their pockets, and many have given a great deal of time and energy to make the Hutchinson Symphony what it has been."

"As we close this chapter of our community life, we wish to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Koshgarian for building and directing an extraordinary orchestra, and to the many musicians, donors and patrons who have made the Symphony such a gem."