JFT2 Organizational Management Task 2
Western Governors University

JFT2 Organizational Management Task 2
A1. Utah Symphony Strengths and Weaknesses
The Utah Symphony has been a leading arts organization in the western part of the United States for decades. They have a rich, long history. Many strengths have contributed to this success and continue to do today.
Financially, the organization is able to raise money through various means. For the fiscal year 00-01, the symphony was able to raise $3.8 million through performance revenues, $3.1 million through government grants, and $4.5 million through fundraising. With another $1 million coming from investments other minor sources, they had an operating budget of $12.4 million for the year. This puts the symphony well over its Group II, as designated by the American Symphony Orchestra League, orchestral peers that average an operating budget of $8.8 million. The symphonies fundraising and performance revenues are projected to increase for the 01-02 fiscal year, proving these a strength despite a slowing economy.
A major financial weakness that the Utah Symphony must confront is the full-time salaries of the musicians. The symphony employs 83 musicians and they receive a salary between $50,000-$85,000 along with benefits. These partnered with the associated payroll taxes accounts for almost 60% of the symphony’s budget. In the next two fiscal years, the symphony’s problem isn’t looking better with the musicians set to get a 12.9% increase for the 02-03 fiscal year and another 6.8% for the 03-04 fiscal year.
In terms of leadership, Keith Lockhart represents a great talent that contributes directly to the success of the symphony. His successes are well documented: he served as the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, he has conducted over 600 concerts, and created 50 television shows, including