The orchestra had announced in April that it had boosted single-ticket and subscription sales. Sales of subscriptions, defined as any multiple-concert package, rose by 10 percent compared to 2004-05; single-ticket sales went up by 22 percent. Over the last two years, the orchestra said, single-ticket sales for its main classical series have gone up 64 percent.

It was also a good season for fund-raising events: the Symphony Ball raised over $1 million. The HSO has benefited from a few lucrative partnerships, such as its participation in the NBA All-Star game.

In May, the orchestra's board approved a budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year that forecasts another break-even result.

Matthew VanBesien, executive director and CEO, said in a statement, "We are all committed to the highest quality artistic level with our orchestra under the leadership of Maestro Hans Graf; to finding new and innovative ways to reach out to Houston audiences, and to working collaboratively as an entire organization to fulfill our mission of bringing great music to the Houston community."