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Auburn Symphony reports post‑pandemic attendance gains, expands school programs
Summary
The Auburn Symphony Orchestra told the City Council it saw rising post‑pandemic attendance, expanded education outreach to fourth graders and new staffing support, and said city funding plus new 'Doors Open' funds are helping stabilize its budget.
The Auburn Symphony Orchestra presented its 2023–24 annual report to the Auburn City Council study session on Jan. 13, 2025, outlining higher post‑pandemic concert attendance, expanded education programs and new staff hires.
The report was delivered by Rachel Carey, executive director of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra, who said the orchestra’s 2023 December holiday concert drew “over 700 people,” the group’s highest holiday attendance since the pandemic. Carey said the orchestra also recorded its highest post‑pandemic fundraiser attendance in March and expects to replicate a successful brunch‑format fundraiser next March.
Daryl Faber, Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation director, introduced the group and noted the city’s continued contract support and partnership with the orchestra. Carey said the city’s funding remains “a crucial part of our budget every year,” and that new “Doors Open funds from Fort Culture” will help the organization stabilize its finances.
The orchestra highlighted its Link Up education program, now in its fourth year, which brings fourth‑grade students from the Auburn School District, Muckleshoot Bridal School and (newly added) Carbonado School to the Auburn PAC for short, 50‑minute performances. Carey said the program includes classroom work (students learn recorders and songs) and two in‑theater performances scheduled next week at about 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Council members asked about expanding outreach to other parks and library programs; Kevin Postkin, board vice president, and AJ Vanderpaul, board president, described in‑school visits by orchestra musicians and summer performances at parks and the farmers market.
Council members praised the orchestra’s community engagement. Mayor Tracy Taylor called the orchestra “a gem in our city” and urged continuation of outreach; another council member connected the orchestra’s youth programs to city efforts on youth engagement and violence prevention. Carey said the orchestra is in early talks with Historic Seattle to renovate and potentially operate the Carnegie Library as a music‑education and community space, but stressed that those talks are preliminary and that Historic Seattle is leading the early work.
The presentation noted recent staff additions — an individual giving director and a communications manager — and referenced Music Director Wesley Schultz, who sent regrets while conducting out of town. Carey said Beethoven’s Ninth is scheduled for May, and reiterated the financial realities of orchestral scale and labor costs. Council members thanked the presenters; no formal action or vote was recorded.
The council did not take formal action during the study session; the orchestra left with council encouragement and offers of future support.
