$14 Million Gift To Transform New Haven Symphony

Transformative changes are ahead for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, fueled by a historic multimillion-dollar gift that will create new outreach initiatives and a new home for its performances, as well as long-term financial stability.

The nonprofit arts organization is also searching for a new music director.

Thanks to this summer’s $14 million gift from the estate of James D. English, the NHSO is undertaking new initiatives that will boost musicians’ and staff salaries, make its presentations more accessible and offer opportunities for underrepresented communities and artists.

The gift by English, whose grandfather was a symphony founder and who died last year at the age of 88, is the largest in the organization’s history. English’s brother, Richard English, made a $6 million gift 11 years ago.

The English family has historical ties to Connecticut. James English was descended from noted Yale scientist James Dwight Dana on his mother’s side and two Connecticut governors on his father’s side. His mother was also an accomplished cellist for the NHSO and a prominent leader at Neighborhood Music School in New Haven.

“It’s one of those stories where we’re an overnight success after 128 years,” says Elaine C. Carroll, CEO of the symphony, the fourth oldest orchestra in the country. “The English family was literally there at our founding. Now thanks to the family, there will always be an orchestra in New Haven.”Tranf

The English estate also left gifts that will benefit the New Haven Museum, Neighborhood Music School, and Clifford Beers Community Care Center. All gifts will be managed by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven on behalf of the cultural organizations.

The orchestra has received $22 million in gifts over the years that will generate more than $1 million annually in perpetuity.

The no-strings attached, million-dollar gifts are a major departure from recent philanthropic arts giving, which typically ties donations to the naming or renaming of buildings — or even the institution itself — for the donor. That was the case last year after David Geffen donated $150 million to the Yale School of Drama, which was subsequently renamed the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

NHSO Music Director Alasdair Neale called….|CONTINUED|