The Penobscot Bay Orchestra
Five Year Strategic Plan 2025- 2030

 PBO’s Mission Statement:

The Penobscot Bay Orchestra provides rich orchestral experiences and a vital connection to the world's

great masterpieces through free, accessible concerts and educational outreach to our community.


SWOT Analysis:

Strengths

Trained professional artistic director

Musicians that are experienced and talented

Welcoming community of noncompetitive musicians

No auditions

Unlimited section seats

Expert music arrangers

Imaginative programming

Free Concerts with voluntary donations

Full capacity audiences

Opportunities

Musicians experience growth in skills through education, ensemble work and challenging repertoire

Youth education experiences

Promotion of classical music

Capture audiences via a diverse repertoire

Children’s concerts

Feeder programs with easier music arrangements

Weaknesses

Lack of ethnic and age diversity

Players that will age out of the orchestra

Interested musicians may find the PBO repertoire too challenging

Threats

Financial instability (reliant on musician donations and grants)

Outgrowing our performance space

Lack of succession process for artistic director, musicians and leadership

Lack of classical music appreciation by the audience

Core Values:

  • Community

  • Welcoming

  • Noncompetitive

  • Imaginative

  • Educational

  • Growth

  • Inspirational

  • Impactful

Goals and Actions

As a young orchestra celebrating its 5th season of providing live, classical music, the Penobscot Bay Orchestra aims to ensure the orchestra’s financial sustainability
for an enduring impact in the Penobscot Bay region.

Financial sustainability and stability:

    1. The PBO will create an Endowment fund

    2. The PBO will invest in short term, higher interest rate accounts such as CDs when checking account funds exceed immediate needs

    3. The PBO will develop relationships with musicians for continued financial support

    4. The PBO will develop an annual giving plan for patrons with requests made in May and November

    5. The PBO will diversify relationships with specific reliable local businesses for program ads and sponsorships 

    6. The Fundraising committee will develop a fundraising plan, provide advice and vet grants, i.e., Stephen & Tabitha King; Maine Humanities Council

    7. The PBO will optimize the income from each program against the costs of such program


Audience Development

    1. The PBO will find and recommend alternative venues with expansion to other towns; i.e., Rockland

    2. The Artistic Director, in collaboration with musicians, will develop and provide concert pre-talks

    3. The Artistic Committee will develop a repertoire for a children’s concert


Community Engagement

    1. PBO musicians will perform in schools to expose children to classical music and instrumentation

    2. The PBO will diversify through partnerships with local music organizations and perform in a variety of programs such as Messiah Sing-a-longs, Multimedia productions, stage productions, and choir productions


Shared Leadership Development and Succession 

    1. The PBO will strategize to expand the PBO Board and the work of the committees

      1. Invite musicians to sign up for committees

      2. Invite interested individuals from the broader community to serve on the Board and/or committees

      3. Expand and Build the committee structure: Concert Preparation, Fundraising, Artistic, Youth Education

    2. The PBO will develop and train a volunteer base