Anchorage Symphony Orchestra

Using the performance tradition of the symphony orchestra in innovative ways, the ASO engages the community through performances, collaborations, education, and outreach and enriches the community’s artistic and cultural life by presenting music and artists who might otherwise not be seen or heard in the area.

For more than 70 years the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra has been a cornerstone of Anchorage’s cultural life serving as community builders driven by a passion for great music and for sharing it with everyone. Offering a 5-concert Classic Series, a 3-concert Pops Series, and a Family Concert, the ASO is committed to new and innovative programming. In recent years, ASO concerts have included silent films, Alaska Native drummers and dancers, electric violin, a student flute choir, ballet, and projections of crowd-sourced photos of Alaska. Free Neighborhood and Stained Glass concerts in local schools and churches have created more access to live music for audiences who may not have otherwise attended a symphony concert. One parent remarked after the Family Concert that the best thing about the concert was “the family-friendly atmosphere - my main motivation for going was exposing my son to classical music.”

Education is at the heart of the ASO’s mission. Each year the ASO performs Young People’s Concerts for over 6,000 4th-6th graders from Anchorage, Mat-Su and Kenai schools. With a curriculum developed by professional educators, the concerts are more than just a “field trip.” As one music teacher noted “I enjoyed seeing their recognition of musical terms and ideas. It proved that they DO listen in my class!” Another successful goal of the concerts is to spark interest in taking up an instrument. 93% of ASD sixth graders elect to start band and orchestra. However, only 10% of students are able to afford private lessons. Each year ASO musicians spend over 100 hours providing free coaching to 6th-12th grade student musicians.

The ASO’s commitment to creating more pathways for our community to experience its orchestra include providing over 100 free tickets to new audiences (youth, military, students, clients of social service agencies) for each concert. Hundreds of tickets are donated each year to schools and nonprofits to assist with fundraising efforts. One social service agency that provides mental health services to youth recently thanked our donors by saying “Thank you for helping us to nurture the children in our care when you send them to the symphony. We have found that attending Anchorage Symphony Orchestra performances makes young hearts feel a whole lot better.”

It is our life’s work to inspire, engage and educate our community. Please join us in our mission to share great music and powerful experiences with your neighbors throughout our community.