The American Orchestra Fact Book is a collection of information about orchestras in America. Its purpose is to help you become better acquainted with the cultural treasure that is the American orchestra. Not a day goes by when America's 1,800 orchestras do not share with the American public the beauty and wonder of their music-making; Whether through traditional performances in the concert hall, summer evenings under the stars, educational program and master classes in our schools, or tours to remote parts of our country, thousands of Americans enjoy live orchestral performances every day.

The American Symphony Orchestra League exists to help these orchestras. By providing a wide range of essential educational programs and information services, the League helps orchestras serve their communities as valuable cultural resources. In doing so, the League works on behalf of a network of thousands of orchestra managers and administrators, orchestra volunteers, conductors and instrumentalists, as well as music business partners.

We are especially grateful to the Metropolitan Life Foundation for providing the funds to make it possible to publish this first-ever American Orchestra Fact Book. (Inside cover)

CONTENTS
Letter from Catherine French.
Introduction.
U.S. Orchestra profile: Orchestras at a glance.
Orchestras: The musical ensemble.
Orchestras: The institution in its community.
Orchestra budgets.
A long-lived tradition.
Concert repertoire.
A variety of concert formats.
Attendance.
U.S. Orchestra financial picture:
     Income.
     Earned income.
     Private support.
     Direct government support.
     Expenses.
Trends to watch.
Why do we play this music?
American symphony orchestra league.