To Our Symphony Supporters

"Arts Groups Get Creative" read the July 23 headline in The Forum. "What’s been unique about this recession is that all of the different funding sources for arts organizations are being reduced at the same time" noted Sheila Smith, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts.

GETTING CREATIVE

Fortunately, getting creative is something the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony knows how to do!

• When we were one of only two orchestras in the country chosen by violinist superstar Midori for a week-long residency, we got creative and put together a Super String Day for string players in grades 6-12, which brought a record-breaking 700 young people to Moorhead to spend an unforgettable day learning and performing with Midori.
• When we had the opportunity to perform a stunning new orchestral work, “Ellis Island: The Dream of America,” we got creative and collaborated with Theatre B, resulting in an emotional and unforgettable performance which included 7 professional actors portraying immigrants who came to America through Ellis Island.
• When we learned about the work of the West Fargo Senior High Alternative Center, which strives to prevent students from dropping out of school, we got creative and brought the entire class to our Holiday Pops Concert. None of the students had ever experienced a symphony concert before. Here was their reaction: “For us to experience the atmosphere and to be able to connect with the music from the orchestra is something we will cherish. Thank you so much for a delightful evening."

In the face of financial challenges, our symphony orchestra continues to serve the community with artistic excellence and a personal, emotional connection.

THE STATE OF THE SYMPHONY

You may be wondering how the orchestra is faring amidst today’s financial challenges. Clearly, our organization has felt the impact of the economic upheaval. Some major foundations, most notably the Bush Foundation (which at one time awarded the symphony annual grants of $30,000), have recently decided to stop funding arts organizations altogether. Other foundations and corporate sponsors have reduced or discontinued their funding of FMSO due to the lingering effects of the recession.

All is not bleak, however. We are thrilled to announce that Sanford Health has enthusiastically begun a first-ever, three-year sponsorship of the Masterworks Concert Series. Many concert sponsors, local foundations, small businesses and corporate partners have already renewed their support as well.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS

The lifeblood of the symphony’s support comes from individuals. While grants, advertising sales, endowment gains and other revenue streams are important, it is people making personal donations, buying concert tickets, and attending fundraising events that provides more than 55% of the symphony’s annual operating budget.

The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra is a critically important part of the vibrant arts scene in our community. Your support makes it possible for the symphony to present concerts of the highest artistic quality, introduce brilliant guest artists to our audiences, reach out to young people throughout the region, and find new ways to bring the experience of orchestral music to people in our community

In order to help the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony reach its 2010-11 Individual Fund Drive Goal of $98,000, we hope you will consider making a tax deductible contribution this year. Please join this effort as we work to trim expenses and replace revenue from sources which have discontinued their support of arts organizations across the board To thrive in difficult times takes creativity, ingenuity, and an unswerving commitment to engaging audiences with compelling, irresistible programming.

Together, we will continue to serve the community and region with the highest quality symphonic and chamber music.

Yours most sincerely,

Tom Ahlin, Board of Trustees Chair

Bernard Rubenstein, Music Director

Linda Coates, Executive Director

Etude: $1 to $99

When you click "Add to Cart," you can indicate how many dollars you would like to contribute.

Prelude: $100.00

Fanfare: $250.00

Overture: $500.00

Rhapsody: $750.00

Concerto: $1000.00

Symphony: $2500.00

Oratorio: $5000.00

Conductor's Circle: $7500.00

Ovation Society: $10,000.00

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For more information on ways you can help the Symphony please click here: Support