In my Cape Symphony newsletter messages this month, I've focused on some of the unique challenges Cape Symphony faces. Last week, I discussed the challenges of musicians' unions; today, I'll address audience decline and its impact on our local symphony. Missed last week’s post? Check it out here.

Orchestras across the nation are grappling with a decline in concert attendance. Nationally, symphonies are seeing shrinking audience numbers, especially among younger generations. Here at the Cape Symphony, we too have noticed a decrease in attendance at some of our traditional classical performances.

This decline presents a significant challenge to our ability to generate revenue through ticket sales, which is a crucial source of income for us. Many of our core audience members are aging, and younger audiences are not attending concerts at the same rate. The reasons for this are complex and include shifts in cultural preferences, the rise of digital entertainment, and fewer music education programs in schools.

We are committed to reversing this trend. With innovative programming, outreach, and a focus on making symphonic music accessible to everyone, we aim to broaden our audience base. Your attendance, advocacy, and support can help us bring new life to our performances and secure the future of live symphonic music on Cape Cod.

We welcome your thoughts and ideas on how we can better engage with our audience. If you'd like to support us, please consider donating here.

Michael Albaugh

Executive Director
Cape Symphony