Springfield Symphony Orchestra
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra has been enriching the cultural landscape of southwest Missouri since 1934, with their first concert performed on February 26, 1935. Now celebrating their 90th anniversary, they continue their mission “to expand awareness and celebrate the performance of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra on the occasion of our 90th anniversary while cultivating the future for the next 90 years.”
Performing at the prestigious Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, the Symphony presents nine concerts annually featuring world-class soloists and innovative programming. Their educational programs serve the community’s youth, and they take pride in providing free tickets to underserved populations.
THE CHALLENGE/ OPPORTUNITY
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra approached 417 Marketing during their milestone 90th anniversary year with a significant digital challenge. Their existing website was built on Drupal, an outdated content management system that had become increasingly difficult to manage and maintain.
The old website suffered from multiple critical issues:
- Technically obsolete - Running on an aging Drupal CMS that was complex and user-unfriendly.
- Visually outdated - The design featured a dark, cramped layout that didn't reflect the elegance and prestige of a 90-year-old cultural institution.
- Poor visual hierarchy - Important information was buried in cluttered sidebars and difficult to locate
- Difficult to manage - Staff struggled with content updates due to Drupal's complexity.
- Not optimized for their anniversary - Lacked the visual impact needed to celebrate their major milestone.
- Missing modern features - No video integration, contemporary web elements, or engaging visual storytelling.
- Inconsistent branding - The old logo and branding elements looked dated and lacked cohesion.
The old website suffered from multiple critical issues:
- Dark background that made content hard to read.
- Cluttered layout with too many competing elements.
- Small, hard-to-read typography.
- Poor use of white space.
- Outdated color scheme that felt more corporate than artistic.
- Navigation that wasn't intuitive for users seeking concert information.
For an organization celebrating nine decades of bringing world-class music to southwest Missouri, their digital presence needed to match their artistic excellence.
THE SOLUTION
417 Marketing designed and implemented a complete website transformation that addressed every challenge:
1. Platform Migration: Drupal to WordPress
- Migrated from the complex Drupal CMS to user-friendly WordPress
- Selected WordPress for its intuitive interface and ease of content management
- Ensured seamless data transfer with no loss of historical content or SEO value
2. Modern, Clean Design Revolution
- Complete visual overhaul from the dark, cluttered previous design to a bright, sophisticated interface
- Professional typography that's easy to read and reflects the organization's artistic mission
- Strategic use of white space creating an elegant, uncluttered user experience
- Improved visual hierarchy making it easy for visitors to find concert information, tickets, and key content
- Accessibility-first approach ensuring the site works for all users regardless of ability
- Color palette transformation from the dark, corporate feel to warm, inviting tones that reflect musical artistry
3. Dynamic Video Banner
- Integrated an engaging video banner on the homepage
- Showcased the orchestra in action to immediately capture visitor attention
- Created visual storytelling that conveys the energy and passion of live symphonic performance
4. Updated Branding Integration
- Seamlessly incorporated the Symphony's refreshed logo and brand elements
- Ensured consistent brand representation across all digital touchpoints
- Aligned the website design with their 90th anniversary celebration theme
5. Content Management Revolution
- Simplified content updates through WordPress's intuitive dashboard
- Enabled staff to easily manage concert listings, news, and educational programs
- Reduced dependency on technical support for routine website maintenance
THE TRANSFORMATION: Before vs. After
The contrast between the old and new websites demonstrates the power of strategic design and platform migration:
Before (Old Drupal Site)
- Dark, cluttered design with poor visual hierarchy
- Hard-to-read content against dark backgrounds
- Outdated branding and cramped layout
- Complex Drupal CMS requiring technical expertise for updates
- Limited visual appeal that didn't capture the Symphony's prestige
After (New WordPress Site)
- Clean, elegant design with professional white space utilization
- Bright, accessible layout that prioritizes readability
- Stunning video banner showcasing the orchestra in performance
- Updated branding perfectly integrated with 90th anniversary messaging
- User-friendly WordPress CMS enabling easy content management
- Mobile-responsive design ensuring perfect viewing across all devices
The visual transformation alone tells the story of an organization that has embraced modern digital standards while honoring their classical heritage.
VISUAL IMPACT: A Complete Digital Transformation
Comparing the old website screenshot to the new design reveals the dramatic scope of this project. The old site’s dark background, cluttered layout, and poor typography have been completely reimagined. Where visitors once encountered a cramped, difficult-to-navigate interface, they now find an elegant, user-friendly experience that truly represents the Springfield Symphony’s caliber as southwest Missouri’s premier cultural institution.
The transformation goes beyond aesthetics—it represents a fundamental shift from a website that hindered the organization’s mission to one that actively supports their goals of engaging audiences, selling tickets, and celebrating their remarkable 90-year legacy.
Key Features Delivered
Homepage Excellence
- Prominent "Celebrating 90 Years" messaging
- Easy access to season brochures and ticket purchasing
- Featured upcoming concerts with professional imagery
- Clear calls-to-action for subscriptions and donations
Enhanced User Experience
- Dramatic visual improvement from the old dark, cramped design to a bright, welcoming interface
- Intuitive navigation replacing the cluttered sidebar approach with clear, logical menu structure
- Content prioritization putting concerts, tickets, and key information front and center
- First-Timer's Guide to help newcomers navigate symphony attendance
- Detailed subscription information with benefits clearly outlined
- Educational programs section highlighting community outreach
- Mobile-responsive design ensuring perfect viewing on all devices (a major upgrade from the non-responsive old site)
Content Organization
- Streamlined navigation making it easy to find concerts, events, and information
- Professional staff directory and organizational information
- Integrated donation and support information
- SEO-optimized structure for improved search visibility
THE RESULTS
The website transformation delivered immediate and measurable improvements:
Operational Efficiency
- Content management time reduced by 75% - Staff can now update content in minutes rather than hours
- Zero technical barriers - Non-technical staff can confidently manage all website content
- Improved workflow - Streamlined processes for updating concert information, news, and events
Brand Alignment
- Perfect brand integration showcasing their updated logo and 90th anniversary theme
- Visual storytelling through the video banner that captures the essence of live symphonic performance
- Professional credibility that matches their reputation as southwest Missouri's premier symphony orchestra
Technical Improvements
- Simplified hosting and maintenance compared to the complex Drupal setup
- Better security through WordPress's robust security features and regular updates
- Improved SEO foundation for better search engine visibility
- Future-ready platform that can easily accommodate growth and new features
Executive Director, Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Project Conclusion
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra website redesign demonstrates how the right digital partner can transform an organization’s online presence. By moving from an outdated, difficult-to-manage Drupal site to a modern, user-friendly WordPress platform, 417 Marketing delivered:
- A website that truly represents the Symphony's 90-year legacy
- Dramatically improved content management capabilities
- A foundation for continued digital growth and success
- Enhanced user experience for patrons and supporters
This project showcases 417 Marketing’s expertise in understanding both the technical requirements and the unique needs of cultural organizations, delivering solutions that combine functionality with the artistic elegance these institutions deserve.
Ready to transform your organization’s digital presence? Contact 417 Marketing to discover how we can help you achieve similar results.
