CSO Giving Notes
WINTER 2021 CHARITABLE GIFT PLANNING NEWSLETTER
Dear Friend of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Thank you for your continued support and engagement with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association during the 2020/21 season. I hope you and your loved ones are well and that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s virtual performances have brought you comfort and joy. As I am sure you would agree, the CSO is one of the finest ensembles in the world, and I am genuinely proud to be a member of the CSOA family. Though the past year has brought unexpected challenges, the musicians and staff of the CSOA have responded in new and creative ways. One engaging initiative is the creation of CSOtv, where you can find historical performances of the CSO as well as recently recorded chamber-music concerts. CSOtv is also the platform for CSO for Kids, programming for children created in coordination with community partners. The shift to primarily virtual programming has created the opportunity to engage with a much larger audience in Chicago and around the world. For example, CSOtv has garnered more than 80,000 views since its launch. Critical to the future of the CSO’s mission and vision are the funds and legacy bequests provided by CSOA Theodore Thomas Society members, including gifts to the endowment. Even during times of uncertainty, these investments allow the organization to embrace the future with optimism and confidence.
Thank you again for all that you do in support of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.
Sincerely,
Mary Lou Gorno CSOA Board of Trustees Chair-Elect & Life Trustee Chair, Theodore Thomas Society
JOIN THE
Theodore Thomas Society Named in honor of the founding music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Theodore Thomas Society recognizes those who make financial plans — in any amount — to benefit the CSO in the future. Stradivarian Associates, a unique group within the Society, are those members who provide documentation for an irrevocable planned gift of $50,000 or more or a revocable planned gift of $100,000 or more.
What are the benefits of general membership? ◆ Annual Theodore Thomas Society event in connection with a performance at Symphony Center ◆ Access to VIP ticketing services ◆ Listing in CSO program books throughout the season and in the annual report (those who wish to remain anonymous may do so) ◆ Invitation for two to the CSOA’s Annual Meeting ◆ Invitation for two to CSO open rehearsals for donors
Stradivarian Associates receive all membership benefits, plus: ◆ Full dining membership privileges in the Thomas Club at Symphony Center ◆ Invitation for two to attend Salon Series events each season ◆ Listing on the donor wall display in the historic Orchestra Hall main staircase
For more information on gift planning or the Theodore Thomas Society, contact the CSOA’s Development office at 312-294-3100 or gifts@cso.org or visit cso.org/plannedgiving.
Include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in your will or trust Consider naming the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a beneficiary in your will and trust documents.
Legal Name: Chicago Symphony Orchestra Address: 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60604 Tax ID Number: 36-2167823 Sample Language: For a specific dollar amount bequest: “I hereby give and bequeath $
from my estate to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, Chicago, Illinois, for its general purposes.”
For a percentage-based remainder bequest: “I hereby give and bequeath all (or
%) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, Chicago, Illinois, for its general purposes.”
While most Theodore Thomas Society members have left a bequest in their will or trust to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, there are many other ways to plan a gift to the Orchestra.
You could: ◆ Set up a Charitable Gift Annuity
◆ Designate the CSO as a beneficiary of your
◆ Create a Charitable Remainder Trust
◆ Establish an Endowed Fund at the CSO
with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
retirement account or life insurance policy
Visit cso.org/calculator to learn more about these and other planned gift options.
Did You Know? During his first visit to America in 1918, Sergei Prokofiev made his U.S. recital debut in New York’s Aeolian Hall on November 20. Two weeks later, he was in Orchestra Hall for his U.S. concerto and conducting debuts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. On December 6 and 7, Prokofiev was soloist in his First Piano Concerto (under the baton of Assistant Conductor Eric DeLamarter) and conducted his Scythian Suite, both U.S. premieres.
In Chicago for a recital in fall 1919, Sergei Prokofiev strides down Michigan Avenue.
Over the next 20 years, Prokofiev returned regularly to Chicago to perform with the Orchestra, both as conductor and soloist. His December 1921 appearances included the world premiere of his Third Piano Concerto — he also conducted the world premiere of his Love for Three Oranges with the Chicago Opera Association at the Auditorium Theatre — and he led the U.S. premieres of his Divertimento in 1930 and the first suite from his ballet Romeo and Juliet in 1937.
MEET MEMBERS OF THE THEODORE THOMAS SOCIETY
Dora and John Aalbregtse John and Dora Aalbregtse are Stradivarian Associates of the Theodore Thomas Society and are involved in various areas of the CSOA. John serves in a leadership capacity as a CSOA Trustee and also as a member of the Negaunee Music Institute board. Dora is active on the Women’s Board and is also a Governing Member. As a part of the Sempre Always campaign, they recently made a generous commitment to name the Dora and John Aalbregtse Piccolo Chair in the Orchestra.
What inspires your love of music? We both grew up with music
played daily in the house and with at least one parent who played an instrument and sang.
What initially drew you to the CSO? When we moved to Chicago,
one of the first things we did was to subscribe to the CSO. We bought four tickets to each of the performances and invited people we met to join us for a concert. It was a great way to enjoy spectacular performances and get to know new friends with similar interests.
Why do you feel it’s important to support the CSOA as a member of the Theodore Thomas Society? We believe that the Orchestra is
Dora & John Aalbregtse
a treasure to be enhanced and preserved for future generations. The Theodore Thomas Society is a natural way to provide for the future of the Orchestra. Planned giving is an important component of our support for the CSO.
Carol and Charles Emmons What inspires your love of music? Our lives have always centered on music. From the ages of 8-13, Charles sang in boys choirs; then, in junior high, he joined the band, playing oboe. Carol was already a clarinet player in junior high band, which is where we met. Charles majored in music, receiving his degrees from Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. After leaving Texas, we spent 30 summers working at Interlochen Center for the Arts and have made many friendships through music. Carol & Charles Emmons
Our lives are fulfilled with wondrous sounds and the intellectual and emotional inspiration evoked by listening to and performing music.
(Carol and Charles Emmons continued) What initially drew you to the CSO? Coming to Chicago to teach orchestral music to young people made
attending CSO concerts a natural fit. I had several recordings of the CSO in my collection, so we were eager to hear this great orchestra “live and in person.” It was a dream come true. As a high school teacher, I felt attending CSO concerts was important to set an example and to help me do what I called “keeping my ears clean.”
Why do you feel it’s important to support the CSOA as a member of the Theodore Thomas Society?
We believe leaving to cherished institutions whatever financial resources you have remaining, after remembering your family, is one of the best ways to “pay it forward.” It is our dream that a gift from our estate will help bring awareness of music to the lives of others in the greater Chicago community. Let music ring!
Marlene Bach What inspires your love of music? Growing up, we always had all
sorts of music in the house, though not classical. I went on to play the flute for many years and realized that I liked that kind of music. I didn’t really discover classical music until the 1970s when I started hearing it on TV. My love of classical music has been completely self-developed. After I started attending CSO concerts, I began reading more about classical music and listening to it at home. Now, I listen to some sort of classical music every day. I particularly enjoy when a concert introduces me to a new piece of music that I’ve never heard of before.
What initially drew you to the CSO? My first CSO concert was
Marlene Bach
during the Solti era, and the more I listened to concerts, the more I realized I really like classical music. There’s something about it that gets me so excited. Some of it is so beautiful I could cry. As a former flautist, I particularly enjoy watching and listening to the flute section. Jennifer Gunn’s performance of the Vivaldi C Major Concerto in 2019 was incredibly moving. The CSO is an important part of my life. It is such a great experience to sit there, relax and listen to the Orchestra after a long week. It really finishes the day nicely.
Why do you feel it’s important to support the CSOA as a member of the Theodore Thomas Society? I want to help keep the CSO
going for many years so that younger generations can experience it like I have. It is my hope that through my support of the Orchestra, I can support the music education of children.
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION 220 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60604
Plan your legacy with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Your future support can: ◆ P reserve the Orchestra and musical programs you love ◆ C reate opportunities for children to discover and grow their love of music
◆ A chieve tax savings and income opportunities for you today and your heirs in the future
Inside you will find information on how you can make a planned gift to support the future of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Planned Gifts Support Future Aspirations NEWS AND PROJECTS from the 2020/21 season ◆ E arlier this season, the CSO launched CSOtv, which hosts a wide variety of content that CSO fans can access from the comfort of their home. From new chamber concerts to archival performances and free educational programming, cso.tv has it all.
◆ Over the past year, the CSO has increased its radio presence, including the creation of “From the CSO’s Archives: The First 130 Years,” a weekly Tuesday evening broadcast on WFMT and online that looks back on memorable CSO performances.
◆ Civic Orchestra of Chicago musicians have transitioned to a primarily virtual format for training and
engagement opportunities. In addition to participating in workshops and studio classes with CSO musicians, Civic members have performed in virtual mock auditions and recorded programs of chamber music, available for free on CSOtv.