Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Gallo Center for the Arts Priority Seating Policy
Information and Frequently Asked Questions
This information has been collated by the Modesto Symphony staff expressly for MSO subscribers and supporters. We have provided this information to help answer questions about the MSO’s move into the Gallo Center for the Arts scheduled during our 2007-08 season.
With precisely engineered acoustics, orchestra seating and superb amenities, the Gallo Center for the Arts is destined to be the finest performance hall in the area. You will hear your orchestra as never before, and your concert experience will rise to a new level.
The location of your seat can be a key factor in how you experience a concert. Perhaps you favor a particular view of the guest artists, or you have formed a bond with the subscribers next to you, or you have a great vantage point to watch the expressions on the musicians’ faces.
At the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, we want to make sure your seat in the Gallo Center for the Arts provides you with a memorable concert experience. We have conducted countless hours of research, including interviewing other orchestras around the country that have recently moved into new concert halls, and carefully scrutinized the proposed seating layouts. Most importantly, we have surveyed our subscribers on the issue of seating and considered their preferences. Based on this research, we have developed the MSO Priority Seating Policy which we consider the most fair and equitable way to seat our subscribers and patrons in the new hall.
When can I reserve my seats for the Gallo Center for the Arts?
In spring 2007, you will receive a 2007-2008 season subscription order form and brochure. It is on this form that you will be asked to indicate your seating preference for the new hall and purchase your seat(s). If you are a renewing subscriber, we can guarantee your seat(s) in the new hall as long as you subscribe this coming season (2006-2007) and our inaugural season in the Gallo Center for the Arts (2007-2008). However, it is not too late for new subscribers to “be there from the beginning.” We encourage new subscribers to order this coming season (2006-2007) to ensure their seat(s) in our spectacular new home.
Following the spring of 2006 renewal period, we will begin assigning all renewing subscribers their seat(s) in the Gallo Center for the Arts. This process will take longer than usual, as we expect a very strong rate of renewal and will be transferring over 1600 people with individual preferences and concerns from the former halls into the Gallo Center for the Arts. Renewing subscribers should expect to hear from the MSO office in late summer 2006 with their seat assignment.
What determines my seat location?
You do! You have been determining your seat in the new hall since you first “invested” in the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. We have designed a Priority Seating Policy that measures three elements of support, each vitally important -
Subscription Investment: 60%
We value all of our subscriber-members and will reward their loyalty. Overall, subscriber investment will receive a 60% weighting, because we believe that regular concert-going (via a subscription) is at the heart of loyalty to the MSO—it is the foundation upon which other forms of support are built, and, for most people, the most accessible way to demonstrate support for our art form.
Donation investment: 40%
Donors help us meet expenses not covered by ticket income. Because our donors help ensure a strong artistic future for the MSO, we will recognize all cumulative donations made to the MSO through December 31, 2006 with a 40% weighting. Volunteer investment: Additional consideration
Ongoing support from our volunteers has also been crucial to the MSO’s success. “Bonus” priority will be given to subscribers who have served, or are currently serving as an MSO volunteer. Bonus priority will also be awarded to past or current MSO musicians.
Each and every subscriber’s involvement with the MSO will be researched as far back as our computer records go—beyond, if applicable—and your investment will be measured in terms of the three factors listed above and then averaged out over the number of subscription seats purchased.
How can I increase my Priority Seating Points?
You can add to your current subscription and donation investment points by purchasing extra subscriptions and/or by making an additional donation to the MSO beyond your current investment. All new investments received between February 1-December 31, 2005 will be converted to points and DOUBLED!
You can also add more points by encouraging others to invest in the Modesto Symphony Orchestra with new subscriptions and/or donations. THEY will be able to earn DOUBLE points for all new subscriptions and/or donations between February 1-December 31, 2005 and YOU will also be credited their DOUBLED points as a thank you for these referrals. For proper credit, be sure that they put your name on the line titled “I was referred by” on their subscription referral form.
For purposes of assigning priority, which subscriber name will be used?
The name of the person that appears at the top of your subscription order form is considered the key contact relating to your subscription order and to your Gallo Center for the Arts priority position. When contacting our office with questions relating to your order, please be sure to indicate the name of the person(s) you have subscribed under. This helps us answer your questions faster. Also, we can assign priority only to those subscribers we know about. We are providing extra room on the 2006-2007 subscription order form so that you may write in the names of all subscribers reflected on the order. If you do not list all subscriber names on your order form, you may sacrifice some priority, as we do not know the names of all our “shadow” subscribers.
The best way to be assured of your seats in the new hall is to subscribe now. Music can’t happen without you. Artists and audiences alike, together bring this great music to life.
Be there from the beginning!