Augusta Symphony Inc

Augusta, GA · Founded 1989

Professional symphony orchestra presenting classical, pops, and family concerts in Georgia's River Region

Primary audience
General public
Work area
Arts presentation
Topic
Orchestral music
Contact
Chum Balk
Website Contact

About Organization

Augusta Symphony is the primary professional orchestra serving Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding River Region. Based in Augusta, GA, the organization presents annual symphonic, pops, and family concerts to share great musical performances with the community. The symphony generated $2.5 million in revenue in 2022 and employs 286 people including musicians and administrative staff.

What They Focus On

Classical Performance

Present symphonic masterworks by great composers to preserve and celebrate the orchestral tradition

Accessible Programming

Offer pops and family concerts that introduce diverse audiences to the joy of live orchestral music

Arts Enhancement

Strengthen local arts culture through performances, education, and community engagement in the River Region

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2022)

$2.5M

-33% vs 2021

Expenses (2022)

$3.0M

+5.7% vs 2021

Assets (2022)

$19.3M

-2.4% vs 2021

Employees (2022)

286

+47.4% vs 2021

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2022 $2,483,346 $2,977,872 $19,260,892 286
2021 $3,708,047 $2,816,254 $19,725,932 194
2020 $1,817,676 $2,236,721 $18,738,286 139
2019 $3,141,512 $3,786,909 $18,893,750 173
2017 $7,984,423 $2,508,489 $19,823,884 180

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Program Selection

    Curate diverse repertoire spanning classical masterworks, pops favorites, and family-friendly performances

  • 02

    Musician Assembly

    Engage professional musicians and conductors to form high-quality orchestral ensembles

  • 03

    Performance Production

    Present concerts at venues throughout the River Region with professional staging and acoustics

  • 04

    Community Connection

    Share musical joy with audiences through accessible programming and educational outreach initiatives

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Augusta Symphony Inc

Symphonic Concerts

Classical orchestral performances featuring masterworks from the great composers of the symphonic repertoire

Pops Concerts

Popular music performances featuring contemporary hits, film scores, and crossover artists for broad appeal

Family Concerts

Educational performances designed to introduce children and families to orchestral music and instruments

Community Engagement

Outreach programs and performances to enhance local arts access and appreciation throughout the region

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Augusta Symphony Inc.

CB

Chum Balk

President
1 hrs/week
PT

Paige Tom

Director Of
Full-time
AC

Anne Catherine Murray

Executive Di
Full-time
Compensation: $121,088
DM

Dirk Meyer

Music Direct
Full-time
Compensation: $86,570
BM

Beth Morrison

First Vice P
1 hrs/week
BA

Bob Agans

VP Developme
1 hrs/week
LW

Levi W Hill IV

Imm Past Pre
1 hrs/week
MB

Mark Burgreen

Legal Counse
1 hrs/week
AM

Agnes Mirshak

Director
AO

Amy Oetting

Director
AA

Andy Albright

Director
BM

Beverly Marnell

Director
BK

Brad King

Director
BJ

Brian J Marks

Director
DL

David Lapp

Director
DK

Doug Kron

Director
DD

Dr David Bogorad

Director
EB

Evelyn Bobo

Director
GM

Gene McManus

Director
HM

Hugh McCutcheon

Director
JW

James Whitehead

Director
JJ

Jim James

Director
JE

Joe Enrekin

Director
JS

John Southern

Director
JC

Jorge Cortes

Director
JH

Joseph H Huff

Director
JR

Justin Resley

Director
LO

Laurie Ott

Director
LM

Lillian Magruder

Director
MA

Mary Ashton Mills

Director
MA

Miriam Atkins

Director
OP

Ora Parish

Director
PC

Phillip Caldwell

Director
RC

Robert Clark

Director
SS

Shannon Sombar

Director
SA

Sue Alexanderson

Director
SV

Suzanne Vest

Director
VB

Vicki Bedder

Director
WL

W Lawrence Fletcher

Director
WL

Wayne Lord

Director
WA

Wilson Allgood

Director
ZK

Zach Kelehear

Director

Milestones

1989

Orchestra Founded

1989

Symphony Orchestra Augusta established to serve the River Region with professional orchestral music

2017

Record Revenue Year

2017

Organization achieved peak revenue of $8.0 million reflecting major growth and expansion

2020

Pandemic Adaptation

2020

Symphony adjusted programming during COVID-19 while maintaining community musical connections

2022

Workforce Expansion

2022

Orchestra grew to 286 employees reflecting increased performance schedule and programming

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AM
Agnes Mirshak Director 0.50 hrs/week
AO
Amy Oetting Director 0.50 hrs/week
AA
Andy Albright Director 0.50 hrs/week
BM
Beverly Marnell Director 0.50 hrs/week
BK
Brad King Director 0.50 hrs/week
BJ
Brian J Marks Director 0.50 hrs/week
DL
David Lapp Director 0.50 hrs/week
DM
Dirk Meyer Director 0.50 hrs/week
DK
Doug Kron Director 0.50 hrs/week
DD
Dr David Bogorad Director 0.50 hrs/week
EB
Evelyn Bobo Director 0.50 hrs/week
FA
Frank Andrew Secretary 0.50 hrs/week
GM
Gene McManus Director 0.50 hrs/week
HM
Hugh McCutcheon Director 0.50 hrs/week
JW
James Whitehead Director 0.50 hrs/week
JJ
Jim James Director 0.50 hrs/week
JE
Joe Enrekin Director 0.50 hrs/week
JS
John Southern Director 0.50 hrs/week
JC
Jorge Cortes Director 0.50 hrs/week
JH
Joseph H Huff Director 0.50 hrs/week
JR
Justin Resley Director 0.50 hrs/week
LO
Laurie Ott Director 0.50 hrs/week
LM
Lillian Magruder Director 0.50 hrs/week
MA
Mary Ashton Mills Director 0.50 hrs/week
MA
Miriam Atkins Director 0.50 hrs/week
OP
Ora Parish Director 0.50 hrs/week
PC
Phillip Caldwell Director 0.50 hrs/week
RP
Richard Peacock Treasurer 0.50 hrs/week
RC
Robert Clark Director 0.50 hrs/week
SS
Shannon Sombar Director 0.50 hrs/week
SA
Sue Alexanderson Director 0.50 hrs/week
SV
Suzanne Vest Director 0.50 hrs/week
VB
Vicki Bedder Director 0.50 hrs/week
WL
W Lawrence Fletcher Director 0.50 hrs/week
WL
Wayne Lord Director 0.50 hrs/week
WA
Wilson Allgood Director 0.50 hrs/week
ZK
Zach Kelehear Director 0.50 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2022)

$208K

Highest Paid

$121K

Anne Catherine Murray

Compensated Officers

2

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Anne Catherine Murray Executive Di $121,088 — $121,088 40
Dirk Meyer Music Direct $86,570 — $86,570 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$148K Grants Received
3 Organizations

Top Funders

3 total
TC
The Community Foundation For The Central
$105K
GA
Greater Augusta Arts Council Inc. 2 grants
$31K
AC
Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau
$11K
The Community Foundation For The Central Greater Augusta Arts Council Inc. Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Community Foundation For The Central Greater Augusta Arts Council Inc. Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Related Organizations

2 affiliated entities reported on IRS Form 990 Schedule R

2

Disregarded Entities

2
Miller Manager LLC
Augusta, GA
Management
DRE
Assets: $14.8M
Miller Theater LLC
Augusta, GA
Theater
DRE
Income: $1.0M Assets: $16.6M

Source: IRS Form 990, Schedule R (Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships)

Contact

Get in touch with Augusta Symphony Inc

Phone

(706) 826-4719

Social

Visit Website
209 7th St Suite 201 Augusta, GA 30901