The Santa Rosa Symphony understands how important seating is to our subscribers. To ensure the smoothest possible transition to the Green Music Center, the Symphony has carefully constructed a fair and equitable Priority Seating Policy. This policy treats subscriber and donation history as “investments” in the Santa Rosa Symphony, and recognizes longevity and cumulative investments as well as volunteerism.
Each and every subscriber’s investment in the SRS will be carefully researched and measured in terms of three factors:
- Subscription Investment
- Donation Investment
- Volunteer Investment
These factors together determine each subscriber’s priority position, which will be used to assign seats in the inaugural season in the Green Music Center.
You have been determining your seat location since you first “invested” in the SRS. Our Priority Seating Policy measures the following three areas of support, each vitally important in helping establish the Santa Rosa Symphony as one of the most respected regional orchestras in the country.
Subscription Investment: 55% weighting
We value the loyalty of our patrons and believe that continuous length of subscription is the single most important factor in determining seating in the Green Music Center. The success of the SRS is based on the faithful support of our subscriber audience. This loyalty is the foundation upon which other forms of support are built, and for most people, the most accessible way to support the Symphony.
Donation Investment: 40% weighting
The SRS is a non-profit arts organization that relies on the support of the community to operate as ticket sales represent only 45% of our operating income. Because our donors help close the gap between ticket revenues and expenses, and help ensure a strong artistic future, the Priority Seating Policy recognizes cumulative donations to both the SRS and the GMC. That is why making monetary contributions is the second most significant action you can take to improve your seating priority.
Volunteer investment: 5% weighting
Ongoing support from our volunteers is also crucial to the Symphony’s success. Credit is given for volunteer support of SRS Association activities as well as serving in the Symphony League.
The Santa Rosa Symphony subscriber priority seating policy treats subscriber and donation history as “investments” in the organization, and recognizes both longevity and cumulative investments as well as volunteerism.
Is the GMC larger or smaller than the current hall?
The Green Music Center Concert Hall has been designed to become one of the great concert halls of the world. To optimize acoustics, the 1,400-seat hall will be smaller than the current hall which seats 1,560. In addition to its brilliant acoustics, a signature feature of the hall will be the rear wall, which, on warm summer evenings can be opened to lawns accommodating up to 3,000 additional concert-goers with direct views of the stage.
Why do we need a priority seating policy? Why can’t I just have my seat?
The layout of the Green Music Center is completely different than the current hall. The new hall will be a classical “shoe-box shape” compared to the “fan shape” of the current hall. It will contain fewer seats overall which are dispersed throughout a main floor, box seats and two balconies. A priority system is vital to an equitable re-seating of all patrons.
How do I get the seats I want?
Loyalty counts! The most important thing you can do is subscribe and maintain your full-series subscription beginning now until 2009 to secure your place in the new hall. When you donate and volunteer as well as subscribe, you improve your place in line for seating.
What is the procedure for measuring seating priority?
We have carefully constructed a priority seating policy that equitably rewards patrons based on subscription history, donation history and volunteer commitment. Each and every subscriber “investment” with the Symphony will be researched as far back as our computer records go. This is a very similar approach that has been used by other major national orchestras when they moved to their new halls. Specifically: subscription history accounts for 55%, donation history for 40% and volunteerism for 5%.
When can I order my seats for the Green Music Center?
During the winter of 2008 subscribers will receive seating charts of the Green Music Center as well as a detailed seating questionnaire. During the renewal period in Spring 2009, subscribers will receive their renewal forms with suggested seats based on their questionnaire preferences and priority. After the renewal period, we will begin assigning all renewing subscribers their seats in the GMC. This process will take longer than usual, as we expect a very strong rate of renewal and will be transferring over 3,000 people with individual preferences and concerns from the Wells Fargo Center to the GMC. Renewing subscribers can expect to hear back from the SRS office in May 2009 with their seat assignment. New subscribers will be assigned any remaining seats after that.
How many seats may I order?
You may order as many seats as you wish, but your seating priority position will only extend to the number of seats you purchase for the 2008-2009 season. For example, if you purchase two seats in the 2008-2009 season, and want four seats for 2009-2010 (the first season in the GMC), the first two seats will be assigned based on your priority position and the last two seats will be assigned after all the other renewing subscriber requests are satisfied. You may choose to give up your seating priority in order to get all your seats together. In this case, your seats would be assigned after all the other renewing subscribers but ahead of any new subscribers. It makes sense considering that it would be unfair to displace other subscribers with equal priority because one subscriber wishes to increase the number of seats in the GMC.
What if I dropped out for a year and returned this season?
The priority seating procedure rewards continuous subscription, but we also look at your complete history with us as a patron, which we greatly value. It’s not too late to improve your priority over the general public. Subscribing and donating this year will improve your priority.
Does it help if I have more than one series or have been a subscriber for many years?
Yes. The more subscription tickets or concert series that you have and the longer that you continually subscribe and donate, the better your place in line for seating.
Must I be a donor in order to get the seats I want in the Green Music Center?
While the most important factor in your seating priority is your continued subscribership each year, your continued or increased donation will enhance your priority. The orchestra is a non-profit arts organization that relies on the support of the community to operate as ticket sales represent only 45% of our operating income.
I’ve donated to the Santa Rosa Symphony but not the Green Music Center. Does that matter?
Donations to both the SRS and GMC are considered in the priority seating policy. Your priority improves as your donation increases as contributions receive a 40% weighting.
I also volunteer for the SRS. Do I get credit for this?
Absolutely. We greatly appreciate your time and talents and credit is given for volunteering to the Symphony Association. SRS League members receive credit for their volunteer activities as well.
How much do I have to give to get great seats?
A contribution of any size is greatly appreciated and assists you with moving up in priority. Some subscribers do not contribute, hence a first-time contribution or an increased contribution would be helpful in enhancing your priority.
What will happen if other patrons have the same priority status that I have?
If two people have the same priority status, then the date your renewal order is received for the opening season in the GMC (2009-2010) will factor into your priority. So, renewing in advance of the deadline is important.
Can I get my friends to subscribe?
Yes! It’s not too late for new subscribers to “be there from the beginning.” We anticipate subscriptions reaching near-capacity levels, so single tickets will be scarce. We recommend that new concertgoers subscribe to the 2007-2008 season to assure the availability of seats in the Green Music Center.
How does accessibility compare to the current hall?
The Green Music Center has improved access for patrons. There will be 15 wheelchair seats located on either the main floor or first balcony with the majority on the main floor. The hall will also have an elevator to the first and second balconies.
As of November 2007—subject to change.
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