Toronto Symphony ends 2008-9 with small surplus

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has ended the 2008-9 season with a small surplus, despite an economic downturn that is hitting some arts groups hard.

At the annual general meeting Wednesday, TSO chair Ana Lopes said the symphony ended the year with a surplus of $29,637 after overall expenses of $24,303,162.

Overall revenues of $24,332,799 were:

• 41 per cent from ticket sales.
• 15 per cent from private-sector donations.
• 21 per cent from government funding.
• Nine per cent from the Toronto Symphony Foundation and the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee.

Lopes said ticket sales rose for the seventh consecutive season, with 244,275 tickets sold at 112 concerts. The TSO also performed 27 programs for students at Roy Thomson Hall and in area schools.

One highlight of the season was the TSO's first Carnegie Hall performance in 10 years, which was funded by government, corporate and private donors.