This week’s episode of “WisBusiness: the Podcast” is with Robert Reed, executive producer of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
The orchestra this year is celebrating its 100th anniversary season. Reed discusses the organization’s history and growth over time, from its roots as the Madison Civic Society to a full professional orchestra.
“People just think of an orchestra as usually just a cultural asset, and I’m here to tell you that we actually are a very powerful economic driver that contributes significantly to the vibrant and prosperous society,” he said. “We contribute to the GDP, we support jobs, we generate tax revenue and we drive tourism.”
He notes the orchestra brings in many visitors to Wisconsin’s capitol city, who eat at restaurants, shop the local stores and stay at hotels in town.
“One of the bigger things that we do is we help keep the downtown community really revitalized,” he said, adding the orchestra is the largest organization that performs at the Overture Center for the Arts. “Every month, basically between September and June, we’re there.”
Along with classical performances, the orchestra also does musical accompaniments to popular films such as Star Wars and favorites for kids like Toy Story.
“We have something for everybody,” Reed said, adding “that’s what I love about us, is our versatility. We can be anything we need to be at any given time, and we have fun doing that.”
He says most people likely know more about music than they give themselves credit for, emphasizing the cultural impact that an orchestra can have.
“As long as you’ve seen Bugs Bunny cartoons and you have gone to the movies, you’ve heard music in your life for a long time,” he said. “If you think of the soundtrack for Jaws, that shark would not be that menacing if it wasn’t for the music behind it.”
Reed also highlights the 91 musicians in the orchestra, many of which live in Madison. Others hail from Whitewater, Appleton and elsewhere, he said.
“Most of the musicians may have originated here, but so many, especially over the last 10 or so years, have been auditioning from other cities to come to Madison, and then they move here,” he said.
Listen to the podcast below, sponsored by UW-Madison:
