BOARD OF DIRECTORS Matthew Shapiro, President David Pottinger, Vice President Jane Eyre McDonald, Secretary Warren Barnes, Treasurer Dunny Sorensen, Past President
STAFF Danail Rachev, Music Director & Conductor Scott Freck, Executive Director Jordan Rae Borg, Executive Operations Assistant
DIRECTORS Carolyn Abbott Carl Bjerre Zachary Blalack Mike Bragg Deborah Carver Julie Collins
Marcia Daneman Raymond N. Englander Greg Fitz-Gerald Susan Greenwald Mary Ann Hanson John Hidalgo David Kammerer
ARTISTIC Ness Zolan, General Manager Hanya Etter, Librarian Sharon Paul, Chorus Director Amy Adams, Chorus Manager Bill Barnett, Recording Engineer Rick Carter, Piano Technician DEVELOPMENT Sara Mason, Development Director Ashley Petsch, Donor Relations Manager Julia Frantz, Events Coordinator
Stephanie Pearl Kimmel Matthew McLaughlin Arden Olson Laura Parrish Paul Roth Nancy Sowdon Cathie Staton
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Mollibeth Cox, Education & Community Engagement Director FINANCE Jana Cox, Finance and Administrative Director Cassandra Frickey, Accounting Associate Kaye Johnston & Heather Nolle, Volunteer Coordinators
Michael Vergamini Jack Viscardi Sean Wagoner Barbara Walker Sandra Weingarten
MARKETING Lindsey K. McCarthy, Marketing Director Josh Francis, Marketing Coordinator and Program Magazine Advertising Sales Manager Emalee Russell, Marketing Intern Alessandra Hollowell, 50th Anniversary Archive Intern
ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC
DEAR FRIENDS On behalf of the entire Eugene Symphony Association – musicians, Board members, staff, and volunteers – I would like to express our profound gratitude for the support that this extraordinary orchestral institution has received from this community. Together we have made this glorious 50th anniversary season arguably the Symphony’s best ever – musically, financially, and in terms of community engagement. It truly was a year for the ages. When we started planning for this pivotal season nearly four years ago, we wanted to look back on the Symphony’s history to remind ourselves and the community how this remarkable organization came to be, while at the same time prepare for the next 50 years. We set ourselves some lofty goals, as we aimed to use this milestone as more than a chance to throw a great party but also to capitalize on a strategic opportunity to strengthen the Symphony and its capacity to do great work in our community.
In all, we achieved many of our goals, and indeed have strengthened the Eugene Symphony as we move into our 51st season and beyond. Making this season come alive has been a labor of love for many of us, and I’d like to offer a few words of specific thanks…. First, to our Music Director Danail Rachev, for his remarkable vision in charting the arc of our musical journey, and in building the ensemble into a group capable of delivering it.
In the pages that follow, you’ll see some of the highlights of what we’ve accomplished together this year, and here’s a preview of some of my favorite memories:
Next, to Barbara Walker, chair of the 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee, and the dozens of volunteers who joined her to help make these dreams become reality.
• We expanded our summer program from one performance to three, in Roseburg, Cottage Grove, and Eugene.
Also, to my dear colleagues on the administrative staff, who all worked tirelessly to achieve our ambitious plans.
• We commissioned three new works of music by some of America’s leading composers. • We welcomed home three of our former Music Directors – Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Giancarlo Guerrero, and Marin Alsop – all of whom were delighted to return and shared how meaningful their time in Eugene was to them early in their careers.
And finally, most of all, to our fabulous ensemble of talented musicians. This year we explored some of the greatest music ever written, and we are so fortunate to have an orchestra this accomplished and dedicated, and as committed to this community as the community is to them. Cheers to our musicians!
• We experimented with what a symphonic event could be, encompassing an arts showcase, craft beverage tastings, and more, bracketing the orchestra’s performance. • We collaborated with the University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra, showcased local talent, and built partnerships with new and diverse agencies in Eugene. • We mounted an archival exhibition in three locations, celebrated our history in a series of magazine articles, and launched new community engagement initiatives like Symphony Connect, which breaks down barriers that prevent some in our region from making music an everyday part of their lives.
•
And, in December we performed with the incomparable Yo-Yo Ma.
It is with the greatest pride that I invite you to look into the pages of this report to see what your support as donors and patrons has meant to the Eugene Symphony Association this year, not only as a reminiscence and celebration of what has come before, but as a powerful springboard to our future. ONWARD!
Scott Freck Executive Director
“SymFest was amazing! I was thrilled by the sheer diversity of people present, and I loved the à la carte style approach to the pre- and post-concert events that allowed me to move about the entire Hult Center. I stayed for almost an hour and a half after the concert because of the energy on the dancefloor! IF THIS IS THE FUTURE OF THE EUGENE SYMPHONY, COUNT ME IN AS A SEASON SUBSCRIBER!”
— SYMFEST PATRON
“Performing with Danail and the Eugene Symphony was a huge treat for me. The orchestra is remarkably sensitive and agile so the performance felt especially inspired. What a gem!” — BENJAMIN BEILMAN, who played Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3 on Opening Night
2015/16 SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS SUMMER CONCERTS Three nights. Three cities. Three summer concerts. More than 8,000 Oregonians enjoyed Eugene Symphony in the Park on July 18, 19 and 20 in Eugene, Roseburg, and for the first-time ever in Cottage Grove. GLOBAL REPERTOIRE Music Director Danail Rachev programmed a season-long exploration of American music and its many global influences, including Russia, France, Austria, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Overall nearly 25% of the orchestra’s repertoire was new to Eugene audiences. NEW WORKS With the help of the Hult Endowment and our Commission Circle donors, we commissioned three new works in honor of our 50th anniversary:
Mason Bates’ Gramophone Depot – premiered on September 24
Roberto Sierra’s Loíza – premiered on December 4
Robert Kyr’s Dawning of the World (Piano Concerto No. 1)– premiered on May 12
THREE HOMECOMINGS We welcomed home three former Music Directors to conduct the orchestra: Miguel Harth-Bedoya on October 15, for a program of South American music including world premiere choreography of Alberto Ginastera’s ballet Estancia Giancarlo Guerrero on January 21, featuring the Eugene Symphony Chorus in Duruflé’s Requiem, and showcasing the orchestra in Respighi’s resplendent Pines of Rome Marin Alsop on April 2, in a forwardlooking evening-long event called SymFest, which brought together craft breweries and wineries, local arts groups, a post-concert jazz lounge and DJ’d dance floor. WORLD-CLASS SOLOISTS We performed with phenomenal soloists, including Eugene debuts by violinists Benjamin Beilman and Adele Anthony, and pianist Vadym Kholodenko, as well as a return by piano superstar André Watts and appearances by local talent including percussionist Pius Cheung and pianist Alexandre Dossin.
UO COLLABORATIONS In a collaboration with the University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Symphony performed Edgard Varèse’s dramatic soundscape Amériques, creating the largest orchestral ensemble ever assembled at Silva Concert Hall. “I had a wonderful experience preparing the student musicians for this great collaboration between the Eugene Symphony and the University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra. This was a once-in-a-lifetime event for many of us.” — EVAN HARGER, UOSO Assistant Conductor SOLD-OUT CONCERTS & RECORD REVENUES The orchestra welcomed a return visit by the world’s leading classical musician, cellist Yo-Yo Ma with a sold-out concert that set an all-time record for Special Concert revenue. Eugene Symphony closed its 50th Anniversary Season with another sold-out concert featuring Beethoven’s immortal Symphony No. 9, leaving concert goers breathless after the finale, “Ode to Joy.” It too set an all-time revenue record for a Symphonic Series concert.
“I love the annual Eugene Symphony in the Park because it’s accessible to all of the community. At last year’s concert, my five-year-old daughter spotted the violin at the Instrument Petting Zoo and glowed when she tried it. During the musical exploration, she returned five times to that violin. It just so happened we stumbled upon a child’s violin at a yard sale the next day. I think I got the message. But thank you, Eugene Symphony for delivering it. Without your generous sharing, we might never have heard it.” — TAJ
MORGAN,
Eugene patron
“I just wanted to thank you on behalf of all my students! It was clear that last night’s concert and interaction with Giancarlo Guerrero was the highlight of their year. At the end of the evening, they all had tears in their eyes simply from the music; they didn’t know how to react or respond, so they just sat in stunned silence. The former band teacher was there as well, and it was a dream come true to hear Pines of Rome. He teared up as he said, ‘I’ve played it, I’ve conducted it, I’ve listened to it, but not like that. That was pure magic.’” — CHRIS BROWN, Instrumental Music Teacher, Coquille High School
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
HIGHLIGHTS YOUTH CONCERTS 6,751 students and teachers experienced the Eugene Symphony at our fall and spring Youth Concerts, World Beats and The Orchestra Sings, at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. “World Beats was definitely the best Youth Concert I have seen from Eugene Symphony. I loved how the emcee had us all be ethnomusicologists! It really showed symphony music as a part of the world of music, exposing children to the symphony in a more poetic, subtle and engaging way.” — DAVID ADEE, 4J Elementary Music Specialist LINK UP 1,093 students participated in Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program through the Eugene Symphony by singing along and playing recorder or violin from their seats at The Orchestra Sings. “Last week’s Youth Concert was fabulous! We had a great time and my students felt prepared and excited by the repertoire. We will be performing several of the pieces at our school concert next month. Please know that these concerts are appreciated and are a real gift to our community.” — ANDRIA MARTIN, Maple Elementary Music Specialist
INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO 627 youth had a hands-on opportunity to try a variety of orchestral instruments at our summer concerts, the Eugene Public Library, and other community events. ENCOURAGING YOUNG MUSICIANS TO ACHIEVE 423 students at 13 middle and high schools had the opportunity to work with a Symphony musician in master classes, sectionals, chamber ensembles, and career coaching. YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION 19 young musicians competed in our Young Artist Competition for scholarship money and the chance to perform in our summer concerts. The 2015/16 winners are Nora Willauer on cello (senior division) and Maia Hoffman on viola (junior division). PLAY IT AGAIN! 13 chamber ensembles, comprising 40 community musicians spanning ages from 20 to 70, participated in Play It Again! Adult Chamber Ensembles, coached by Symphony musicians. They presented a public performance in May. ODE TO THE FUTURE Five high school composers from across Oregon are collaborating with composer Rob Kyr and University of Oregon graduate composition students to co-create a piece based on Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” to be premiered in November 2016.
ROSEBURG/FLORENCE RESIDENCY WORK Through extended residencies with Douglas County Youth Orchestra in Roseburg and Siuslaw High School in Florence, Eugene Symphony musicians have provided advanced artistic instruction to students in rural communities. LAURA AVERY VISITING MASTERS 22 outstanding student musicians from middle school, high school, and college performed for and worked with Eugene Symphony’s guest artists in master classes through the Laura Avery Visiting Masters program, which also engaged 350 audience members throughout the season. GUILD CONCERT PREVIEWS Eugene Symphony Guild Concert Previews engaged 2,230 people this season with more than 240 people at each pre-concert talk by the week’s guest artist and Maestro Danail Rachev or one of the returning Music Directors.
In its pilot season, Symphony Connect has already engaged more than 425 community members through performances by small groups of musicians in venues such as Eugene Public Library, Eugene Marathon, and Lane County Health and Human Services. More to come!
ORCHESTRA MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR Danail Rachev VIOLIN I Searmi Park, Concertmaster Lisa McWhorter, Assistant Concertmaster Dan Athearn Lisa Bieber Stephen Chong Anthony Dyer Rosemary Erb Jenny Estrin Yvonne Hsueh Nelly Kovalev Valerie Nelson* Sharron Smith Sophie Therrell Norma Wilson VIOLIN II Matthew Fuller, Principal Sasha Chandler, Assistant Principal Alice Blankenship David Burham Della Davies Julia Frantz Virginia Kaiser Claudia Miller Lionel Thomas* Marilyn Tyler Jannie Wei Vacant
VIOLA Holland Phillips, Principal Miriam English Ward, Assistant Principal Lauren Culver* Lauren Elledge Anamaria Ghitea Adam Hoornstra Shauna Keyes John Lundblade Kimberly Uwate** CELLO Anne Ridlington, Principal Jinn Shin, Assistant Principal Dale Bradley David Chinburg Kathryn Brunhaver* Ann Grabe James Pelley Kelly Quesada Nancy Sowdon BASS Richard Meyn, Principal Forrest Moyer, Assistant Principal Tyler Abbott Rick Carter Milo Fultz Greg Nathan Nathan Waddell
FLUTE Kristen Halay, Principal Wendy Bamonte Heather Johnson (Piccolo)**
TROMBONE Henry Henniger, Principal Ron Bertucci James Meyer
OBOE Kelly Gronli, Principal Cheryl Denice Annalisa Morton (English Horn)
TUBA Michael Grose, Principal
CLARINET Michael Anderson, Principal Louis DeMartino (E-flat Clarinet) Carol Robe (Bass Clarinet) BASSOON Vacant, Principal Mike Curtis Steve Vacchi (Contrabassoon) David Hattenhauer HORN David Kruse, Principal Jennifer Harrison Lydia Van Dreel Scott King Jonathan Kuhns (Assistant Horn)
TIMPANI Ian Kerr, Principal PERCUSSION Tim Cogswell, Principal Brian Scott Randal Larson Sean Wagoner KEYBOARD Christine Mirabella, Principal HARP Jane Allen, Principal CHORUS DIRECTOR Sharon J. Paul
TRUMPET Sarah Viens, Principal Joshua Silva David Bender
* denotes University of Oregon Graduate Teaching Fellow
** denotes one-year appointment
THANK YOU! 1
2
3
6
4
1
5
Caroline Boekelheide with Yo-Yo Ma at the post-concert reception on December 11. 2
7
Generations of Eugene Symphony leaders gather at the Board
of Directors Holiday Party and Reunion on December 16. 3 Miguel Harth-Bedoya with Rebekah Lambert and Mike Fox. 4 4. Mary Ann and Niles Hanson, recipients of the 2016 Advocate for the Arts Award. 5. 5 concert sponsor. 6. 6
Yo-Yo Ma with representatives of Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, the evening’s
50th Anniversary Celebration chair Barbara Walker with Music Director Danail Rachev. 7.7
Executive Director Scott Freck,
Elaine Twigg Cornett, and Zane Cornett looking at the score of a commissioned work at the opening of 50 Years: A City and Its Symphony on September 23.
USE OF FUNDS
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS* &
ARTISTIC $1,202,631
PRODUCTION $356,262 MARKETING $208,722 FUNDRAISING $219,266
IMPACT
ADMINISTRATIVE
$722,003
IN-KIND $52,500
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,761,384
$52,500 IN-KIND
$1,149,607 EARNED
$1,645,971 FY16 INCOME
CONTRIBUTED
TOTAL $2,848,078
$169,408
$227,192
OTHER EARNED
ENDOWMENT
EARNED
$298,021
$580,096 SUBSCRIPTIONS
$639,851
$276,334 EVENTS
CONTRIBUTED
SPECIAL SINGLE TICKETS $102,082
$502,594
SYMPHONIC SINGLE TICKETS
INSTITUTIONAL GIVING
*Figures accurate as of third-quarter projection approved by the Executive Committee on April 27, 2016
INDIVIDUAL GIVING
BECAUSE OF YOU, WE MADE A GREAT IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
$980,199
$639,851
$159,500
IN TICKET SALES
IN INDIVIDUAL GIFTS
IN CORPORATE SUPPORT
14.3%
22.1%
25.2%
INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR
INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR
INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR
YOUR SUPPORT MADE THESE THINGS POSSIBLE:
100+
25
11
4
3
MUSICIANS
FREE community
SYMPHONIC AND
YOUTH CONCERTS IN THE
WORLD PREMIERES
EMPLOYED
programs for nearly
SPECIAL CONCERTS IN
HULT CENTER FOR
OF NEW
15,000 people
THE HULT CENTER FOR
NEARLY 7,000 STUDENTS
COMPOSITIONS
23,000 PEOPLE
AND TEACHERS
MORE THAN 45,000 LIVES ENRICHED THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC!