Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Faces Funding Challenges for Summer Series

By Mary Casey-Sturk

Since its formation in 1992, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (KSO) has been performing throughout Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, including the popular Summer Series in parks. In recent years, the series comes to Tower Park each summer, including three performances this year.  Other Summer Series performances are in Covington’s Devou Park.

Part of the KSO’s mission is to make classical music attractive, accessible and affordable.  The KSO has also collaborated with local arts organizations such as the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Playhouse in the Park, the Taft Museum and community institutions such as the Cincinnati Observatory and Kentucky National Guard to name but a few.

Park performances have become a summer family tradition and it’s not unusual to see three generations enjoying a concert together. For some, it’s their favorite summer event in Fort Thomas.

New Funding Challenges for the Summer Series

FTL spoke with James R. (J.R.) Cassidy, the Music and Executive Director of KSO about the situation. Cassidy shared, “As the KSO gets ready for the opening of its 2025 Summer Series in the Parks (31^st season) this weekend (July 12 & 13), the organization rides the financial currents that we all do.” Continuing, “This Summer has been a little more of a challenge as a couple foundations which often support the KSO’s free summer concerts were either taking a planned gap year or were on an 18-month rotation. So, when the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) Challenge America grant (awarded in February) was rescinded on May 2nd, our Summer financial projections became concerning.”

“The KSO is a professional orchestra, so the musicians, artists and staff are all paid. Payroll, along with summer music purchases, rentals, commissioning of new arrangements and music licensing (BMI/ASCAP), plus other costs often run the KSO into six-figures for just the Summer Series.” 

Grateful for Community Support

“The two cities (Covington and Ft. Thomas) provide logistical support by covering costs of the respective sound companies to provide sound enhancement for each concert, in addition they maintain the beautiful lawns and parks, and provide the KSO access to park amenities (electric, tables, etc).” Cassidy continues, “Fortunately, 5/3 Charitable Trust recently offered area arts groups the opportunity to apply for emergency relief grants, which the KSO received to plug a good portion of its (post-NEA cancellation) $30k Summer shortfall.”

“In addition, a local anonymous family through the Horizon Fund has offered a challenge match of $5,000 to fund the KSO’s 2025 Tower Park concerts, allowing Ft. Thomas residents to chip in via individual or corporate donations to match this generous offer (meaning donations totaling $5,000 or more (received by September 1) would secure the $5k match for a total of $10k).” 

“I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the 2025 Summer Series’ long standing partners, sponsors and foundations which have supported the KSO’s Summer Series for years and decades:  ArtsWave, the KY Arts Council, Fischer Homes, Schneller Knochelmann Heating, Plumbing & Air, St. Elizabeth Health Care, The Party Source, The Josephine Schell Russell Charitable Trust, The Milburn Family Foundation, The Charles and Ruth Seligman Family Foundation, the Wohlgemuth-Herschede Foundation, Regal Maids and Matinée Musicale Cincinnati.”

Coming Soon to Tower Park

The KSO’s 2025 Summer Series in Tower Park begins this Sunday, July 13 at 7:30 with Williams’ Wondrous World (featuring the TV & Film music of John Williams).  The KSO returns to Tower Park with its Newport Ragtime Band for Blues’ Muse on Sunday, August 3rd with a survey of the beginning and development of authentic blues, ragtime and early jazz from the 1890s-1930s).  Labor Day weekend Sunday, August 31 brings back the KSO’s studio orchestra (Boogie Band) with Primitive Pop (Transistor Radio — Walkman: 1960s-80s) with hits by Percy Faith to the Fifth Dimension, The Carpenters to Queen, and Yes to the B52s.

Cassidy notes, “I have always seen these outdoor performances for the last 30 years (5 in Tower Park) as a gift to the community — from the supporters through the Symphony to the generations who attend and make and share memories.”

The KSO opens its 34th Season at Greaves Concert Hall (Northern Kentucky University) on Halloween with the tri-state premiere of the 1922 silent film Nosferatu together with the 1828 opera score to Marschner’s Die Vampyr modified and adapted as the film score is played live to film by the KSO.

If you are interested in helping the KSO meet the challenge grant goal for concerts in Tower Park, you can make a  secure online donation  through the KSO website at kyso.org/give.  Donations totaling $5,000 or more (received by September 1) would secure the $5,000 match for the challenge grant, for a total of $10,000.