EIN: 75-3215581
Mission Statement
The mission of the Arlington Philharmonic is to make classical music accessible to every Arlington citizen, to promote the value of classical music in our civic life, and to build strong, creative partnerships with schools, local government, businesses and other organizations.
We affirm that racial equity – an understanding and acknowledgement of historical and ongoing racial inequities and a commitment to actions challenging those inequities – is a core tenet of our beliefs as an organization and will be embedded in our structure, operations, and artistic endeavors.
Program Summary
The Arlington Philharmonic (AP) is the only professional symphony orchestra in Arlington, performing at least three classical concerts annually. AP musicians also perform small ensemble performances. The AP is unique among regional professional orchestras because it does not charge admission, with the exception of fundraising events. The AP also sponsors a fee-based Crescendo Chamber Music Program for middle and high school string players and, new in FY2025, wind players. The AP strives to reach out to the many and diverse population groups in the region including Spanish and Mongolian community organizations, as well as to all age groups. As an artistic anchor in the Arlington community, the AP meets a specific need in Arlington County by reaching a large number of residents who may not otherwise be exposed to classical music.
Impact Statement
The AP impacts the community primarily through community enhancement, partnerships, and youth education. The AP’s partnership with the Arlington Central Library, comprising free small ensemble performances open to the public, and its partnership with Encore Learning have raised awareness of the AP’s existence and opportunities to experience orchestral performances free of charge. In the current 2025-26 season, the AP is undertaking a “Communities of Arlington Chamber Music Festival,” a strategic creative placemaking initiative featuring diverse programming in six different Arlington locations celebrating Arlington’s multicultural identity and strengthening cultural assets of historically marginalized communities. One of the AP’s principal impacts is on the youth of Arlington through youth education and opportunities for young people. The AP’s Board President, a retired APS orchestra director and music teacher, continues to actively promotes the AP and its opportunities for young musicians throughout the APS music programs. The AP’s December 2025 holiday concert, including young Arlington Public School string players performing with the professionals at Ballston Quarter, was a great success that attracted a sizeable audience, including shoppers, and received rave reviews from the Ballston Quarter management team. They have already asked us to repeat the concert in December 2026.
What ways can the public get involved?
The AP is always in need of volunteers at concerts to help greet and, if necessary, assist in seating audience members. Please contact us at info@arlingtonphilharmonic.org if you are interested.
How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?
The cost of a full orchestra concert comes to $20,000, most of which is funded by individual donations and in part by government funding. All donations to the AP go directly to operating costs, including paying our musicians, Music Director, and support staff; venue and equipment rental; administrative costs including liability insurance; and programming and marketing.
Information provided March 2026