Nashville Symphony

We hired our friends at CCS because we knew the professionalism and expertise of their team would give us an incredible chance for success. We absolutely recommend you consider CCS as a partner for your next campaign.

Jonathan Norris, Vice President of Development, Nashville Symphony

Led by music director Giancarlo Guerrero, the Grammy Award-winning Nashville Symphony has been an integral part of the Music City sound since 1946. In a typical year, the ensemble performs more than 150 concerts annually and remains one of the most prolific recording orchestras in the United States. 

Two Decades of Partnership

CCS first partnered with the Nashville Symphony (NSO) in the early 2000s to raise more than $123.5 million to support the orchestra’s rise to national prominence, expand its music education programs, and open the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the orchestra’s home since 2006, is a distinctive neo-Classical building with architectural elements that pay homage to the history, culture, and people of Middle Tennessee and is today considered one of the world’s finest acoustical venues.

CCS later assisted NSO by managing their endowment campaign, Sustaining Greatness. The campaign focused on restoring the Schermerhorn Symphony Center after flooding in May 2010 while fortifying resources available for artistic initiatives, music education, and community engagement programs. More than $22 million was raised.

The Next Chapter

Three months after NSO launched a new Strategic Plan, COVID-19 struck. With two-thirds of its annual operating income being generated from concerts, the Nashville Symphony found itself on a journey of survival and creative adaptation. The orchestra’s very existence was threatened due to the pandemic.

The Nashville Symphony is exploring a potential $75 million endowment campaign to ensure the music never stops again. The campaign aims to strengthen NSO’s financial position and continue to deliver visionary artistic and educational programming, enabling even greater creative and community impact. CCS is now partnering with NSO for the third time to shape the strongest possible plan of action to bring NSO’s bold vision to life.

Featured Team Member

I have had the true privilege of partnering with Nashville Symphony on multiple occasions in my CCS career. From working onsite managing the day-to-day activity of the Sustaining Greatness campaign more than ten years ago to now overseeing a study to help NSO plan its next chapter, I am consistently inspired by the leaders’ innovation, ability to navigate crises, and commitment to excellence in bringing top-notch education, exceptional performances, and Grammy Award-winning recordings to Nashville and the world.

Steve Manno, Principal & Managing Director, CCS Fundraising

More Case Studies

Miami City Ballet

Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US

Founded in 1985, Miami City Ballet features an international ensemble and world-class ballet school. Following CCS’s engagement, MCB grew its irrevocable and revocable gifts by more than $10M, surpassed its campaign goal by 18%, and increased legacy society membership by 50%.

National Coast Guard Museum Association

Northeast US

The National Coast Guard Museum Association (NCGMA) was founded in 2001 to raise the funds necessary to build the National Coast Guard Museum. NCGMA partnered with CCS Fundraising to complete a rapid mid-campaign assessment and for campaign support including data analytics & research.

National Museum of Bermuda

Outlying Countries

The National Museum of Bermuda, founded in 1974 as a maritime museum, now an essential education resource and center of cultural and community life, engaged CCS Fundraising for its “The Future of History” effort, leading to Museum leaders and volunteers raising over $9.8M.

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